Vol. Vol. 18 18 No. No. 27 36
FREE FREE PUBLICATION PUBLICATION
Wednesday, January Wednesday, March 13, 16, 2016 2016
OOH, A TOUCH OF NATURE: The Weekly Advertiser Horsham Fishing Contest attracted families from across Victoria and interstate. Young angler Josh Jeffrey from Casterton was among visitors who caught up with Wild Action zoologist and wildlife personality Chris Humfrey, who brought his interactive show to the weekend event to promote environmental awareness. Josh and Chris are pictured at Horsham Soundshell at Sawyer Park with a boobook owl. For more on the fishing competition, see page 9. Picture: KIRSTY DANIEL, WE SHOOT CREATIVE AGENCY
Pipeline passing test immera-Mallee Pipeline has passed a profound test as a water-security system across a vast stretch of western Victoria after months of well-below-average rain in the catchment.
Water that in the past would have evaporated in open channels has continued to meet urban, rural and industry needs across the region and prevented a need for extensive restrictions. GWMWater managing director Mark Williams was forthright in his explanation of circumstances and the role the pipeline had played in wa-
IN THIS ISSUE
ter supply during the extended dry weather. “We have had one of the most challenging summers but at this stage we have water in supply and have managed to get through okay,” he said. “The pipeline is doing its job in securing water for the region by virtue of simply being able to use all water available.” Mr Williams said circumstance had forced the corporation to announce level-two restrictions for Stawell and east Grampians supply areas, but both were related to local hydraulic issues. “We almost got through without restrictions, but the summer has hung around a bit placing unprecedented demand on supply,” he said.
“We’d like to think we can lift those restrictions fairly soon – before Easter for Stawell and in a similar time frame, by end of March early April, for east Grampians. “Easter is a defining point and certainly the rain last week helped.” Mr Williams said no other areas in the Wimmera-Mallee supply footprint would be subject to restrictions. “Everywhere else is fine. There is plenty of water in the system for two to three years under the current waterholding levels,” he said. Figures show Wimmera-Mallee supply reservoirs are holding 129,580 megalitres, or 23.27 percent of overall capacity. Pipeline construction finished in
2010 near the end of the millennium drought, before floods in 2011 helped recharge much of the system. A return to severe dry conditions in the past two years again placed the importance of the pipeline in the spotlight. “It has clearly demonstrated its value to the region. This year its impact on providing water security has been profound,” Mr Williams said.
Restrictions
Water users connected to Stawell Water Supply System and Mount William Headworks System, including Lake Bolac, Moyston and Wickliffe, went on stage-two restrictions on Friday.
GWMWater confirmed a pipeline system from Lake Fyans to Stawell had been unable to fill the centre’s storages quickly enough to meet demand. The corporation has been working with landowners on the Landsborough Valley Pipeline to reduce demands on the system and Stawell Gold Mine has ceased taking water from the Stawell town system to allow levels to rise. GWMWater applied restrictions to the Mount William Headworks System to ensure it could maintain security of supply in the east Grampians area. The move comes in the wake of high demand for water carting in the area. Continued, page 3
• Drought support • Football-netball countdown • Cricket grand final preview
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HORSHAM PLAZA SCHOOL HOLIDAY ENTERTAINMENT Week one - Tues, March 29 to Fri, April 1
Grass Heads Craft
Centre Mall 11am to 3pm daily - Cost $3 each Week two - Mon, April 4 to Fri, April 8
Kids On The Block!
Centre Mall 11am to 3pm daily - Free activity
KMART • NQR GROCERY CLEARANCE • SPOTLIGHT • REJECT SHOP • WIDE RANGE OF SPECIALTY STORES • WWW.HORSHAMPLAZA.COM.AU
HORSHAM
PLAZA DARLOT STREET Ph 5382 0912
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BY DEAN LAWSON