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Groundwater recharge into the Hepburn Mineral Springs would be unaffected by a proposed housing development in Daylesford, Goulburn-Murray Water says.
It comes after a number of Hepburn Shire residents protested in Daylesford on Tuesday, calling for an urgent scientific investigation into the potential effects on the Smith Street development and two others on the shire's renowned mineral springs.
Goulburn-Murray Water property manager Sharon Clement said the water corporation had not raised concerns in relation to the proposed Smith Street development, as it had determined groundwater recharge would not be impacted.
"We received a referral for this development from the Hepburn Shire Council as part of their planning process," Ms Clement said.
"Our areas of interest when it comes to planning are surface water and groundwater quality, recharge, use and disposal. It is our role to assess the impact any land use and development applications might have on water quality, water resources and our assets and infrastructure."
The proposed development is being considered by the minister and the Department for Environment, Land, Water and Planning, the Hepburn Shire Council yesterday said.
Update
The Hepburn Shire Council says land earmarked for a housing development in Daylesford has been determined to be appropriate for residential growth.
It comes as a number of residents protest the project, citing concerns about the potential effects this and two other proposed housing developments could have on the shire's mineral springs.
A council spokesperson said one of the proposals, for Daylesford's Smith Street, was being considered by the minister and Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning.
"We understand the community interest in this proposed subdivision matter and we look forward to a decision from the minister," the spokesperson said.
"The development, should it be approved, will be required to connect to reticulated sewer and water. All stormwater management will be subject to detailed engineered design to ensure risk of stormwater runoff is managed."
While the spokesperson said the shire council acknowledged the history of the site and the region, the land had been determined to be appropriate for residential growth and was zoned for general residential use.
"And, therefore, intensification from its original lot size subject to assessment under and deemed compliance with the Hepburn planning scheme and relevant legislation," the spokesperson said in a statement.
Earlier
A Hepburn Shire resident is calling for an urgent scientific investigation into the effects three proposed housing developments could have on the shire's renowned mineral springs.
Daylesford environmentalist and water campaigner Loris Duclos has called on the planning minister and acting water minister, Richard Wynne, to bring the planned developments to a halt while concerns about negative impacts on the Hepburn Mineral Springs catchment are investigated.
"The developments - two in Smith Street, and one in Jamieson Street - represent 90 per cent of new house builds proposed for Daylesford in the near future," Ms Duclos said.
She said the blocks were set aside for low-density use in the 1800s out of recognition of the importance of recharge areas.
Ms Duclos believed the Hepburn Shire Council's planning processes had failed to properly consider the impacts the new developments could have on the Hepburn Mineral Springs and the underlying freshwater aquifers, which she said were "an integral part of drought proofing Daylesford's town water supply."
"The town's booming tourist economy is largely based around the renowned mineral springs at Hepburn. We can't have development that impacts on our springs and on town water supply areas," Ms Duclos said.
A protest is planned in Daylesford on Tuesday.
Ms Duclos believed the area where the developments were proposed was supposed to be protected by an environmental significance overlay.
She said the Hepburn Shire Council was due to consider environmental significance overlays at its March meeting.
Ms Duclos was concerned about oversight of the Hepburn Shire Council's management of the mineral springs recharge areas.
She said Goulburn Murray Water was the responsible groundwater referral authority, but had stated that is interest lay "mainly in the licensing arrangements for groundwater and that the shires are the responsible drainage authorities."
Comment is being sought from both the Hepburn Shire Council and Goulburn-Murray Water.
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