Ballina Shire aims for 80 per cent water reuse
Ballina Shire Council has announced the development of a draft Reclaimed Water Reuse (RWR) Masterplan, which will be on public exhibition from 20th July – 17th August 2007.
The council says the development of the plan is an important milestone in terms of the implementation of Council’s Urban Water Management Strategy (UWMS), which was adopted in 2003.
The proposed RWR Masterplan outlines the objectives, options evaluation and selection process, and provides details of the proposed reclaimed water reuse scheme to service the Ballina and Lennox Head areas.
According to Council’s Group Manager Civil Services, John Truman, the draft Masterplan demonstrates Council’s direction for more sustainable management of its water resources over the next 20 years.
Mr Truman said: “During the preparation of the UWMS, the community confirmed its clear desire for reclaimed water to be considered a valuable resource and that the use of this resource should be maximised.
“To support this important objective, long-term planning and management strategies are required to deliver more sustainable outcomes for our water resources.
“The delivery of the proposed draft Masterplan would see the implementation of a major capital works program, the value of which has not been seen previously by Council.
The proposed $80 million program would deliver reclaimed water to some 7200 new residential allotments over the next 20 years, and provide improved sporting facilities and public amenity through the irrigation of playing fields and open spaces.
“In addition, the Masterplan proposes the creation of Coastal Vegetation Regeneration lots which will provide environmental benefits and the possibility of the linking of areas of remnant vegetation and the creation of wildlife corridors.”
Mr Truman said that historically the Council has been able to achieve the reuse of approximately 15% of its treated dry weather wastewater flows.
“Through the Masterplan, Council is planning to significantly increase this and has set a target of achieving a level of reuse of 80%,” he said.
“Community input has been important throughout the development of the UWMS and the Masterplan, and Council is seeking to extend that input through the exhibition of the draft Masterplan.”
The draft Masterplan will be on exhibition from 20 July until 17 August 2007, and can be viewed at the Ballina Shire Council Chambers, the Lennox Head, Alstonville and Ballina libraries, and the Wardell Community Access Space.
For a copy of the RWR Masterplan, or further information, residents are encouraged to visit the website www.ghd.com.au/ballina_shire_water or contact Melissa Jomantas on 1800 810 680.
All feedback on the proposed scheme should be sent by 17 August 2007 to:
Reclaimed Water Reuse Masterplan,
Reply Paid 83475
GHD Pty Ltd
C/o Stakeholder Solutions
10 Bond Street
Sydney NSW 2000.
