The meeting, which has been called by Goulburn-Murray Water, will be held at the Campaspe Golf Club in Rochester tomorrow at 1pm.

Goulburn-Murray is reviewing its Campaspe Deep Lead water supply protection area groundwater management plan.

Its Campaspe groundwater reference committee chairman Murray MacDonald said some of the issues being considered in the review included changes to the boundary, seasonal allocations, groundwater trading and carryover.

“Dry conditions persisting for several years have resulted in reduced recharge to the region’s deep lead aquifer system,” he said.

“Given demand for groundwater has been high, it is critical these groundwater resources are managed sustainably into the future.”

Mr MacDonald said those who attended the meeting would have the chance to learn about previously unknown qualities of the deep lead and to discuss future management options with experts in the field.

Speakers will include local groundwater users, the deep lead groundwater reference committee, Bendigo consultant Rob Rendell, and internationally regarded hydrogeologist Phillip Macumber.

Nationals MP for Northern Victoria Damian Drum said he was pleased more research into the deep lead had been conducted and he urged people to attend tomorrow’s meeting.

“We now have a much clearer understanding of how the aquifer works, how it recharges and the sort of things we must take into consideration now to be sure our use of that groundwater is sustainable,” he said.

The meeting will be the first of two.

The second is expected to be held late this month and will present results and recommendations from the review.

It will also collect feedback from all interested on the future management of the groundwater. For more information phone John Mansfield on 5833 5455.