This is a statement of fact which is drawing a mixed reaction from some parts of the community. Other parts of the community are criticising Coliban because they believe that restrictions should stay in place.

Our view (which has been previously stated) is that we should be able to offer the community choice about their water use, but this choice shouldn’t be at the expense of future water security.

There are a range of reasons for the treatment plant upgrades, some of it strategic in nature and some of it part of routine maintenance.

These investments are not about trying to ease restrictions as fast as possible to increase our revenue and dwindle away water that has recently found its way to our storages.

We are investing in these upgrades to deal with the realities of climate change.  The upgrade works include back up generators to deal with the increased likelihood of power outages and the ability to treat water from multiple sources.

Our plan is to ensure that the harsh restrictions of recent times become a thing of the past. To do this means being more conservative in how we allocate water, how much we put aside for future  year and have infrastructure in place that can manage a range of possible  futures.

This would enable us to offer choice without there being impacts on others.

Recent history has shown us that weather patterns have changed, one wet winter doesn’t break a drought.

In Perth last year, they had their best inflow season for 15 years with 140 gigalitres (long term average 300 gigalitres). This year they have had 9 gigalitres year to date.

There’s a lesson in this for us.

We will continue to be conservative and considered.

Gavin

Our approach to allocating water will be considered. This means will be ensuring we take a long term view with our allocations and keep an adequate buffer to ensure that any change in restriction can be for a long time. We will also  continue with our strategic investments in infrastructure that help ensure that we dont return to harsh restrictions any time soon.

This includes upgrades to treatment plants at Bendigo,  Castlemaine and Kyneton.

gavin

Travelling around I hear a range of comments about easing restrictions,  ranging from Coliban should ease restriction straight away to Coliban water should leave the current restrictions  in place  as people are used to them.

Our approach is to ease restrictions when it is reasonable to do. This means not putting the two year supply buffer at risk.

Interested in your views….

Gavin

Storage contents as of this morning. Our storages are at about 36%, they were at 10% the same time last year.

Its a much better position to be in. We will be making announcement regarding rural allocations on the 15 of Sept as we normally do.

Things are also much improved on the Loddon system.  We are hopeful that the increase in water in these storages will improve the water quality in the Loddon river as water is released.

GMWs Web site has good graphs showing the increases in contents of their storages.

Gavin

Traditionally,  September and October bring the most inflows,  lets see what happens next.  Gavin

The above graph shows that we have had below average rainfall during Autumn since 1979.  Whilst not  necessarily contributing directly to inflows during this time they  are essential for starting to wet the catchment.

Over the last couple of days we have had about 400Ml.

Whilst this is a great start to the season, our storages are still at historic lows.  Lets not count our chickens just yet…Gavin

Coliban Water will ease restrictions when it is responsible to do so.

This means that we have to be confident that easing restrictions will not put our 2 year reserve of water at risk.

Further to this, to supply greater volumes of water, we have to upgrade  our Bendigo water  treatment plant.

We are aiming to have this complete early in the new year.

We will continue to monitor inflows and allocations regularly.

Gavin