Environment and Energy

Only 35mm of rain was recorded for Daylesford in September by the Bureau of Meteorology compared to the 88mm long-term average. For the coming 3 months, above-average rainfall is still forecast by the Bureau for most of Eastern Australia.

Extended dry weather has put pressure on the Forest Hill water supply system, underlining the importance of a recently announced feasibility study into connecting six Hepburn Shire towns to the Ballarat water network.

Central Highlands Water (CHW) is inviting local customers to share their views in the organisation’s Annual Customer Satisfaction Survey.

A welcome rise in storage levels will see water restrictions lifted in the Daylesford and Hepburn Region.

Hepburn Shire Council has reiterated its strong opposition to the Western Renewables Link (WRL), lodging a detailed submission to the Environmental Effects Statement and confirming it will present expert evidence at upcoming hearings.

Daylesford’s water supply was down to 31% in late June but following several good rainfalls they were 97% full as of 2nd September. The Bureau of Meteorology’s (BOM) local agent recorded 119.2mm of rain for August well above the long-term average of 103.7mm.

Hepburn Shire Council has been granted an extension until September 8 to submit a full response to the Environmental Effects Statement (EES) for the proposed Western Renewables Link (WRL). Council has outlined the key concerns which will be elaborated in their submission.

Work has begun on the final phase of a major upgrade to the Daylesford water supply. The $25M project will extend the capacity of the Daylesford Water Treatment Plant.

Six towns in the Hepburn Shire could be connected to the Ballarat water supply network under a $600,000 joint Federal–State Government funding commitment.