Barwon Water is implementing a remediation and environmental protection plan for Boundary Creek, Big Swamp and surrounding environment.
Technical work in 2017 confirmed that intermittent use and historical management of the Barwon Downs Borefield over the past 30 years – combined with the effects of a dry climate – led to a reduction in flows to Boundary Creek and the subsequent activation of acid sulfate soils in Big Swamp (the Yeodene swamp).
In late February 2020, Southern Rural Water (SRW) accepted our proposed remediation and environmental protection plan for Boundary Creek, Big Swamp and the surrounding environment following 18 months of scientific studies, advice from independent technical experts and valuable community input through a community and stakeholder working group. This process was supported by the Victorian Government and legally enforceable through Section 78 of the Water Act 1989.
Barwon Water's Remediation and Environmental Protection Plan (REPP) comprises of two parallel work packages:
- The Boundary Creek and Big Swamp Remediation Plan - That outlines the controls and actions that have and will be implemented within the confirmed areas of impact to:
- Ensure no further harm from Barwon Water’s historic groundwater pumping or remediation actions
- Protect the water quality and ecological values of the Barwon River
- Improve the water quality and streamflows within Boundary Creek, and
- Improve the ecological values of Big Swamp
- The Surrounding Environment Investigation - To investigate whether other areas within the regional groundwater system have been impacted by historical management of groundwater extraction at the Barwon Downs borefield.
Implementation of the remediation and environmental protection plan commenced in March 2020. Barwon Water’s remedial actions continue to yield positive results, with significant recovery evident. Read more via the quarterly updates and Annual Report in the Document Library.
Barwon Water no longer holds a groundwater extraction licence and has committed to decommissioning the Barwon Downs extraction bores as part of its 2023-2028 Price Submission.
Barwon Water is committed to keeping the local community and key stakeholders informed regarding the progress of remediation and to sharing the findings and outcomes of the plan.
See also: Boundary Creek and Big Swamp remediation
