Harston landholders are invited to a community information session next week to provide feedback on a new drainage proposal for the area.
Representatives from Goulburn Murray Water (GMW) and the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (GB CMA) will be on hand to answer any questions about the Upper Deakin Drainage Course Declaration (DCD).
GB CMA Irrigation Manager Carl Walters said improving surface water drainage in the area had been identified as priority in the Shepparton Irrigation Region Drainage Strategy.
“We are now at the stage where we can take action to address these issues in the Upper Deakin area, thanks to funding from the Victorian Government,” Mr Walters said.
“The community has been consulted in the past about the drainage proposal, designed to address long-standing drainage issues, and we have now progressed the plan to final approval,” he said.
Poor natural drainage, obstructions to flow, water logging, a rising water table and risks to significant wetlands were identified by the community as some of the main risks to the area’s agricultural land, environmental values and road infrastructure.
He said the proposed works addressed changes in climate, the irrigation footprint and land use over the past decade.
“We have discussed a new approach to surface water drainage with the community that makes best use of existing features including natural depressions, infrastructure and environmental features. The information session will be an opportunity to outline the final plan and seek community feedback over the next six weeks.”
People are invited to attend the ‘drop-in’ information session at Harston Hall between 10am and 2pm on Tuesday October 23 to discuss the final alignment for the new drainage scheme proposal.
For more about the information session or the drainage program please contact Carolyn Nigro at GMW on 5826 3831.