The Board discussed and resolved the following matters at its board meeting held on the 27th July 2010.
1. LONG TERM STRATEGY FOR MARYBOROUGH AND DISTRICT WATER SUPPLY
The Board noted that water resources and quality are being maintained in the short term and current investigations into the longer term options will be dependant upon the source water and levels of treatment required. Additional investigations into groundwater are being carried out, particularly in the Waubra area.
The Board acknowledged that as part of securing longer-term water supply, Central Highlands Water (CHW) will continue to research the option for improving the water quality within the system to meet Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG) for “good” quality classifications for all parameters including total dissolved solids (TDS) and hardness.
2. SNAKE VALLEY SEWERAGE SCHEME
The Board was updated on the Snake Valley Sewerage Scheme proposal, a Pyrenees Shire Council initiative.
Council has received some State and Federal funding with timeframes of June 2011 which has resulted in pressure on CHW’s decisions regarding the scheme. Currently AECOM is assessing the technical report received from Council.
The Board discussed the requirement for management to undertake a comprehensive risk analysis, and the development of a cooperative communication plan agreed to with Council.
In considering Pyrenees Shire Council’s request for CHW to construct and operate a STEP sewerage reticulation scheme funded by the Pyrenees Shire Council and supported by the community, that the following matters be resolved to the Board’s satisfaction by the August 2010 Board meeting:
- A detailed commercial agreement be developed
- Full cost recovery of the scheme through Essential Service Commission approved tariffs
- Detailed demonstration of the community’s support of the scheme
- Confirmation of land planning and township boundary limitations on future development by the Pyrenees Shire Council.
3. LAKE WENDOUREE UPDATE
Managing Director Neil Brennan advised the Board that the agreement with the City of Ballarat, including CHW rights for drinking water priority from the Ballarat West groundwater supply, has been signed by Council.
4. WATER RESOURCE UPDATE AS AT 30 JUNE 2010
The Board noted that Goulburn-Murray Water will set allocations for the coming season on 16 August 2010. The expectation is an allocation of 37%.
The Goldfields Superpipe has been running at off peak times for the last few months and a workshop is being held next week on energy management of the Superpipe.
5. DEBT STATUS AND RECOVERY REPORT FOR 2009-10
The Board received a report on the status of CHW’s tariff debt and the actions taken during the financial year (2009-10) to recover the arrears.
6. CONSULTANTS & CONTRACTORS SUMMARY REPORT
The Board received a report on expenditure on consultants and contractors for operational and capital expenditure for the financial year ended 30 June 2010.
7. WATER PLAN RECONCILIATIONS AS AT 30 JUNE 2010
The Board were provided with a reconciliation of CHW’s performance against key assumptions contained in the 2008-13 Water Plan and associated Pricing Determination.
8. CORRESPONDENCE
The Board acknowledged a letter from Minister for Water re: Regional Water Corporations Corporate Plans 2010-11, received 30 June 2010.
9. STAKEHOLDER RELATIONS
- The Board invited Maryborough Water Resource Stakeholder Task Group to attend lunch following the board meeting;
- The Board also hosted a stakeholders meeting with Council Mayors and CEO’s, and two senior Catchment Management Authority representatives.
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