Boundary Creek and Big Swamp remediation
Recent technical work has confirmed that the operation of the Barwon Downs borefield over the past 30 years is responsible for two thirds of the reduction of base flow into Boundary Creek.
The dry climate experienced during the same period accounts for the remaining third.
This suggests that the lower sections of Boundary Creek would likely have no flow periods during summer regardless of groundwater pumping, however pumping has increased the frequency and duration of no flow periods in lower reaches of Boundary Creek.
The remediation of Boundary Creek and Big Swamp was identified as a community priority during the consultation for the Barwon Downs borefield groundwater licence renewal in the latter part of 2017.
Barwon Water has recently formed a community and stakeholder working group to develop a remediation plan for Big Swamp and Boundary Creek.
This group will work together to assist Barwon Water in designing and implementing a remediation plan for the creek and Big Swamp.
See also: Boundary Creek and Big Swamp remediation
Recent technical work has confirmed that the operation of the Barwon Downs borefield over the past 30 years is responsible for two thirds of the reduction of base flow into Boundary Creek.
The dry climate experienced during the same period accounts for the remaining third.
This suggests that the lower sections of Boundary Creek would likely have no flow periods during summer regardless of groundwater pumping, however pumping has increased the frequency and duration of no flow periods in lower reaches of Boundary Creek.
The remediation of Boundary Creek and Big Swamp was identified as a community priority during the consultation for the Barwon Downs borefield groundwater licence renewal in the latter part of 2017.
Barwon Water has recently formed a community and stakeholder working group to develop a remediation plan for Big Swamp and Boundary Creek.
This group will work together to assist Barwon Water in designing and implementing a remediation plan for the creek and Big Swamp.
See also: Boundary Creek and Big Swamp remediation
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Community information sessions - 16 & 30 October 2019
about 2 months agoBarwon Water is hosting information sessions to update the community on the Boundary Creek and Big Swamp remediation project. We will include an update on the field program and development of the remediation plan. Members of the project team will be available to answer any questions.
Colac information session - 16 OctoberWhere: Colac Otway Performing Arts and CulturalCentre (COPACC) Gellibrand Street, ColacWhen: Wednesday 16 October 2019Time: 12–2 pm and 5–7 pmWinchelsea information session - 30 OctoberWhere: The Eastern Hub (Members Room), EasternReserve, Hopkins Street, WinchelseaWhen: Wednesday 30 October 2019Time: 4–7 pm... Continue readingBarwon Water is hosting information sessions to update the community on the Boundary Creek and Big Swamp remediation project. We will include an update on the field program and development of the remediation plan. Members of the project team will be available to answer any questions.
Colac information session - 16 OctoberWhere: Colac Otway Performing Arts and CulturalCentre (COPACC) Gellibrand Street, ColacWhen: Wednesday 16 October 2019Time: 12–2 pm and 5–7 pmWinchelsea information session - 30 OctoberWhere: The Eastern Hub (Members Room), EasternReserve, Hopkins Street, WinchelseaWhen: Wednesday 30 October 2019Time: 4–7 pmMore informationThe information posters from the sessions are available in the Document Library.If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact the Communications & Engagement team on 1300 656 007.
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Revised scope of works to inform Boundary Creek and Big Swamp Remediation Plan submitted to Southern Rural Water
4 months agoFollowing ongoing engagement with independent experts and a community remediation working group, Barwon Water this week submitted to Southern Rural Water a revised scope of works for its Boundary Creek and Big Swamp remediation plan.
Preparing a scope of works is a critical step in the process required under the conditions of a Section 78 Ministerial Notice that was issued to Barwon Water in 2018, directing it to develop and implement a remediation plan for or Boundary Creek, Big Swamp and surrounding environments.
In accordance with that notice, Barwon Water submitted its scope of works to Southern Rural Water on... Continue reading
Following ongoing engagement with independent experts and a community remediation working group, Barwon Water this week submitted to Southern Rural Water a revised scope of works for its Boundary Creek and Big Swamp remediation plan.
Preparing a scope of works is a critical step in the process required under the conditions of a Section 78 Ministerial Notice that was issued to Barwon Water in 2018, directing it to develop and implement a remediation plan for or Boundary Creek, Big Swamp and surrounding environments.
In accordance with that notice, Barwon Water submitted its scope of works to Southern Rural Water on December 20, 2018.
This document outlined the area that will be covered by the remediation plan, the environmental values to be included and the necessary environmental assessments and methodology proposed to develop the remediation plan.
Barwon Water subsequently sought additional feedback from Southern Rural Water and its Technical Review Panel, as well as the Boundary Creek and Big Swamp Remediation community working group and its independent experts on the scope of works document.
In addition, a comprehensive field program of scientific and environmental assessments to address information gaps was completed during March to June, these assessments included:
- soil sampling (more than 200kg of soil was collected for analysis)
- updated LIDAR imagery to more accurately map vegetation
- installation of monitoring equipment in Big Swamp
Barwon Water’s Chief Scientist Dr. Will Buchanan said interim results of the soil sampling confirmed previous understanding of the soil characterisation of Big Swamp.“These results provide Barwon Water with a better understanding of the various soil types within the swamp to help inform remediation options for the Swamp,” Dr Buchanan said.Using this feedback and new scientific data, Barwon Water refined and strengthened its scope of works and circulated to the remediation working group for review and feedback.“In mid-July, Barwon Water met with the remediation working group and their nominated experts to discuss the revised scope of works document and share interim results of the field program,” Dr Buchanan said.“Overall, the remediation working group were positive of the document and the work that had been completed to address Southern Rural Water’s review panel and working group experts feedback,” he said.
“The working group requested Barwon Water make final changes to the scope of works, mostly in relation to adding detail to the methodology section,” he said.
Barwon Water submitted the revised scope of works to Southern Rural Water to review on 30 July 2019.
“We will continue to provide monthly updates to the remediation working group and will meet with the working group and their nominated experts in late September,” said Dr Buchanan.
The community remediation working group is made up of representatives from the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CCMA), Colac Otway Shire Council, LAWROC, PALM (People for a Living Moorabool), Upper Barwon Landcare Group, Boundary Creek landowners, Traditional Owners and other interested community members.
A series of public information sessions is being planned to provide an update on the project and next steps to all members of the community. Dates and locations will be advertised shortly.
Read: Scope of Works
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Community information sessions complete
8 months agoBarwon Water concluded its community information session series last night in Colac.
Three community information sessions were hosted over the last week to provide an update on the Barwon Downs borefield licence application withdrawal and the Boundary Creek and Big Swamp remediation project.
Sessions were hosted in Winchelsea, Birregurra and Colac which saw more than 40 people attend. Attendees included representatives from local landcare groups, local land owners, environmental groups and local newspapers.
Barwon Water General Manager Strategy, Systems and Environment Kate Sullivan said the response to the community information sessions shows the community’s passion and dedication for the local... Continue reading
Barwon Water concluded its community information session series last night in Colac.
Three community information sessions were hosted over the last week to provide an update on the Barwon Downs borefield licence application withdrawal and the Boundary Creek and Big Swamp remediation project.
Sessions were hosted in Winchelsea, Birregurra and Colac which saw more than 40 people attend. Attendees included representatives from local landcare groups, local land owners, environmental groups and local newspapers.
Barwon Water General Manager Strategy, Systems and Environment Kate Sullivan said the response to the community information sessions shows the community’s passion and dedication for the local environment.
“One of the key themes discussed at information sessions, was the process for developing the remediation plan, which includes prioritising remediation for Boundary Creek and Big Swamp where we know we have had an impact as well as investigating whether there have been impacts in other areas.”
“In addition, attendees were very interested in Barwon Water’s plans to secure future water supplies.”
“Overall the community were positive that Barwon Water were out and about in the community talking about the remediation project.”
The current phase of the remediation project is our environmental assessment field program which is commencing next week, subject to approvals and weather.
“We will provide monthly updates to the remediation working group and meet with the group again in the coming months to provide an update on the field program and what the preliminary results are telling us.”
In the latter part of 2019, Barwon Water will continue to work with the remediation working group and their nominated experts to develop a remediation plan, which will be submitted to Southern Rural Water and its independent technical review panel for approval.
The remediation working group comprises community members and representatives from local agencies and environmental groups, including Traditional Owners, Boundary Creek landowners, LAWROC (Land and Water Resources Otway Catchment), PALM (People for a Living Moorabool), the Upper Barwon Landcare Network, Colac Otway Shire Council and the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority.
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Community information session to share update on Boundary Creek and Big Swamp remediation project
8 months agoBarwon Water is hosting three community information sessions to provide an update on the Barwon Downs borefield licence application withdrawal and the Boundary Creek and Big Swamp remediation project.
An open house style event, the information sessions will be an opportunity for stakeholders and the community to drop in to learn more about both topics. Information sessions will be hosted at the following locations:
Winchelsea information session
Where: The Eastern Hub (Members Room), Eastern Reserve, Hopkins Street, Winchelsea
When: Thursday 4 April from 4pm - 7pmBirregurra information session
Where: Birregurra... Continue readingBarwon Water is hosting three community information sessions to provide an update on the Barwon Downs borefield licence application withdrawal and the Boundary Creek and Big Swamp remediation project.
An open house style event, the information sessions will be an opportunity for stakeholders and the community to drop in to learn more about both topics. Information sessions will be hosted at the following locations:
Winchelsea information session
Where: The Eastern Hub (Members Room), Eastern Reserve, Hopkins Street, Winchelsea
When: Thursday 4 April from 4pm - 7pmBirregurra information session
Where: Birregurra Hall (The Seniors Room), 42-44 Main Street, Birregurra
When: Saturday 6 April from 10am - 1pmColac information session
Where: Colac Bowling Club, corner of Moore and Armstrong streets, Colac
When: Wednesday 10 April from 4pm - 7pmThe information sessions will provide key information on both the remediation project and recent licence application withdrawal and members of the project team will be available to discuss any questions.
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Outcomes of meeting five for the Boundary Creek and Big Swamp remediation plan
8 months agoBarwon Water held its fifth meeting with the Boundary Creek and Big Swamp Remediation Working Group in late March, to continue discussions about developing a remediation plan.
Barwon Water General Manager Strategy, Systems and Environment Kate Sullivan said the latest meeting of the community remediation working group provided an opportunity to discuss and ask questions about Barwon Water’s recent withdrawal of its licence application and any implications this had for the remediation process underway.
This meeting followed four previous meetings with the working group whose role is to participate in the design of the remediation plan and provide greater awareness... Continue reading
Barwon Water held its fifth meeting with the Boundary Creek and Big Swamp Remediation Working Group in late March, to continue discussions about developing a remediation plan.
Barwon Water General Manager Strategy, Systems and Environment Kate Sullivan said the latest meeting of the community remediation working group provided an opportunity to discuss and ask questions about Barwon Water’s recent withdrawal of its licence application and any implications this had for the remediation process underway.
This meeting followed four previous meetings with the working group whose role is to participate in the design of the remediation plan and provide greater awareness of the remediation plan across the community.
The group have nominated three independent experts whose role is to represent the interests of the environment and members of the working group to provide expertise and scientific rigour to the development of the remediation plan.
“The independent experts have critically reviewed and provided feedback on the environmental and scientific field program and assessments. Their review has taken into account existing literature and concerns raised by members of the group. Barwon Water has used this information to refine and strengthen the upcoming field program and assessments,” Ms Sullivan said.
“The purpose of this field program and environmental assessments is to resolve information gaps raised as concerns by the working group to better understand aspects of Big Swamp and Boundary Creek, and use the outcomes of that work to inform a remediation approach for that specific catchment,” she said.
“One of the key topics discussed at meeting five, was the process for developing the remediation plan, which includes prioritising remediation for Boundary Creek and Big Swamp where we know we have had an impact as well as investigating whether there have been impacts in other areas. We will work with key stakeholders to ensure this happens.
“An extensive environmental and scientific field program is due to commence in late April.
“We will provide monthly updates to the remediation working group and meet with the group again in the coming months to provide an update on the field program and what the preliminary results are telling us.”
Barwon Water intends to submit its remediation plan to Southern Rural Water for review at the end of 2019.
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Outcomes of meeting four for the Big Swamp and Boundary Creek remediation plan
9 months agoBarwon Water re-convened its Boundary Creek and Big Swamp remediation working group in late February to hear from its nominated technical experts about the environmental assessments required to inform the remediation plan Boundary Creek and Big Swamp.
Overall the group were supportive of the proposed environmental assessments. The group were complimentary and appreciative of the nominated experts in distilling their concerns and views into a technical document.
Barwon Water advised that the environmental assessments would will commence in April 2019.
Barwon Water re-convened its Boundary Creek and Big Swamp remediation working group in late February to hear from its nominated technical experts about the environmental assessments required to inform the remediation plan Boundary Creek and Big Swamp.
Overall the group were supportive of the proposed environmental assessments. The group were complimentary and appreciative of the nominated experts in distilling their concerns and views into a technical document.
Barwon Water advised that the environmental assessments would will commence in April 2019.
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Scope of works to inform Boundary Creek and Big Swamp Remediation Plan submitted to Southern Rural Water
12 months agoIn mid-September, 2018, Barwon Water received a Section 78 Ministerial Notice pursuant to Section 78 of the Water Act 1989, directing the corporation to develop and implement a remediation plan for the Boundary Creek and Big Swamp environments
In accordance with that notice, Barwon Water submitted its scope of works to Southern Rural Water by December 20.
The scope of works outlines the area that will be covered by the remediation plan, the environmental values to be included and the necessary environmental assessments and methodology proposed to develop the remediation plan.
In developing the scope of works, Barwon Water has:
- ... Continue reading
In mid-September, 2018, Barwon Water received a Section 78 Ministerial Notice pursuant to Section 78 of the Water Act 1989, directing the corporation to develop and implement a remediation plan for the Boundary Creek and Big Swamp environments
In accordance with that notice, Barwon Water submitted its scope of works to Southern Rural Water by December 20.
The scope of works outlines the area that will be covered by the remediation plan, the environmental values to be included and the necessary environmental assessments and methodology proposed to develop the remediation plan.
In developing the scope of works, Barwon Water has:
- identified all appropriate hydrogeological, hydrological and geochemical assessments to support the development of the remediation plan.
- incorporated ideas and feedback gathered from the community via Barwon Water’s Boundary Creek and Big Swamp remediation working group (including the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority).
- shared a draft scope of works with Southern Rural Water’s independent technical review panel for feedback.
- considered the State Environmental Protection Policy (Victorian Waters).
In addition, the Boundary Creek and Big Swamp remediation working group has also benefitted from the advice of three independent technical experts who they nominated to support them in their discussions. The scope of works document also incorporates input from these technical experts.
Further, Barwon Water has also proposed that a review of the scope of works be undertaken by the working group’s nominated technical experts.
Based on these further inputs, and any further feedback from Southern Rural Water’s independent technical review panel, Barwon Water may refine the scope of works and provide any updated information to Southern Rural Water.
The Boundary Creek and Big Swamp remediation community and stakeholder working group has been informed of this approach and will be provided ongoing updates.
The group is made up of representatives from the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CCMA), Colac Otway Shire Council, LAWROC, PALM (People for a Living Moorabool), Upper Barwon Landcare Group, Boundary Creek landowners, Traditional Owners and other interested community members.
Read: Scope of works -
Remediation approach for Boundary Creek and Big Swamp – Section 78 notice released
about 1 year agoBarwon Water welcomes the direction from the Minister for Water in relation to a legally enforceable remediation plan for Boundary Creek, Big Swamp and surrounding environments impacted by past groundwater extraction at Barwon Downs, under Section 78 (s78) of the Water Act 1989.
The s78 notice is now publicly available on the Barwon Water website.
Read: Remediation approach for Boundary Creek and Big Swamp – Section 78 notice released
Barwon Water welcomes the direction from the Minister for Water in relation to a legally enforceable remediation plan for Boundary Creek, Big Swamp and surrounding environments impacted by past groundwater extraction at Barwon Downs, under Section 78 (s78) of the Water Act 1989.
The s78 notice is now publicly available on the Barwon Water website.
Read: Remediation approach for Boundary Creek and Big Swamp – Section 78 notice released
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Update on remediation approach for Boundary Creek and Big Swamp environments
about 1 year agoIn mid-September, Barwon Water received a Section 78 Ministerial Notice pursuant to Section 78 of the Water Act 1989, directing the corporation to develop and implement a remediation for the Boundary Creek and Big Swamp environments.
Barwon Water welcomed the notice for a legally enforceable remediation plan for the Boundary Creek and Big Swamp environments impacted by past groundwater extraction at Barwon Downs.
The notice provides added assurance to the community and legally enshrines Barwon Water’s intention to remediate Boundary Creek and Big Swamp.
Barwon Water will fully cooperate with the Section 78 notice to get the right outcomes.... Continue reading
In mid-September, Barwon Water received a Section 78 Ministerial Notice pursuant to Section 78 of the Water Act 1989, directing the corporation to develop and implement a remediation for the Boundary Creek and Big Swamp environments.
Barwon Water welcomed the notice for a legally enforceable remediation plan for the Boundary Creek and Big Swamp environments impacted by past groundwater extraction at Barwon Downs.
The notice provides added assurance to the community and legally enshrines Barwon Water’s intention to remediate Boundary Creek and Big Swamp.
Barwon Water will fully cooperate with the Section 78 notice to get the right outcomes. Furthermore, we are committed to working closely with the local community, key agencies and technical experts in the years ahead as we work towards developing and implementing the remediation plan.
We have been engaging with the community, key stakeholders and community nominated technical experts through our Boundary Creek Remediation Working Group to help Barwon Water design the remediation plan including identifying what the success measures might be.
Barwon Water will continue to provide updates to the community on this project.
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Outcomes of workshop three for the Big Swamp and Boundary Creek remediation plan
about 1 year agoOn August 22, Barwon Water hosted the third workshop with the Boundary Creek and Big Swamp remediation working group.
The purpose of the meeting was for the working group to identify success measures to direct scoping of a field program by the nominated experts and technical consultant.
Success measures have been grouped into:
- No further downstream impacts to the Barwon River
- That landholders can access good quality and quantity of water for stock
- That Big Swamp is a valuable environmental asset
The working group welcomed the wealth of knowledge and experience the experts brought in helping inform the discussion about... Continue reading
On August 22, Barwon Water hosted the third workshop with the Boundary Creek and Big Swamp remediation working group.
The purpose of the meeting was for the working group to identify success measures to direct scoping of a field program by the nominated experts and technical consultant.
Success measures have been grouped into:
- No further downstream impacts to the Barwon River
- That landholders can access good quality and quantity of water for stock
- That Big Swamp is a valuable environmental asset
The working group welcomed the wealth of knowledge and experience the experts brought in helping inform the discussion about success measures.
The group acknowledged that remediation of Boundary Creek and Big Swamp is challenging and complex and welcomed the approach taken to develop the remediation plan.
The next steps for the project include:
- field program development and implementation
- the nominated experts to reassess the remediation options in light of the results of the field program
- consult the remediation group about success targets and preferred remediation option.
The working group reconfirmed their commitment to the process and will meet again later this year to hear about the field program.
Timeline
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Meeting 1
Boundary Creek and Big Swamp remediation has finished this stageEarly May 2018 - Understand the task, hear from experts and identify information gaps and reviewers of the remediation concept design.
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Meeting 2
Boundary Creek and Big Swamp remediation has finished this stageLate July 2018 - Hear from reviewers, ask key questions and explore alternate possibilities and identify any ongoing concerns or dilemmas.
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Meeting 3
Boundary Creek and Big Swamp remediation has finished this stageLate August 2018 - Identify key recommendations that the working group would like to make to Barwon Water about the remediation plan for Barwon Water to review and consider.
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Meeting 4
Boundary Creek and Big Swamp remediation has finished this stageFebruary 2019 - The working group will come together again to hear from Barwon Water regarding the an update on the scope of works document review and next steps in the Section 78 process.
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Meeting 5
Boundary Creek and Big Swamp remediation has finished this stageLate March 2019 - The working group will come together to discuss the recent announcement regarding the Barwon Downs borefield licence withdrawal and any implications this had for the remediation process underway.
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Field program and environmental assessments
Boundary Creek and Big Swamp remediation has finished this stageApril 2019 to September 2019 - The field program and environmental assessments will help resolve information gaps raised as concerns by the working group to better understand aspects of Big Swamp and Boundary Creek, and use the outcomes of that work to inform a remediation approach for that specific catchment.
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Ongoing collaboration with the working group
Boundary Creek and Big Swamp remediation is currently at this stageOctober 2019 onwards - Barwon Water will provide monthly updates to the remediation working group and continue to meet with the group for the remainder of 2019 as it works to develop the Remediation Plan.
Barwon Water will also continue to keep the broader community informed of the project as it progresses.
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Remediation Plan submitted to Southern Rural Water
this is an upcoming stage for Boundary Creek and Big Swamp remediation20 December 2019