| A Ceres vegetable farmer has pleaded guilty to taking water without consent.
Frank Battaglia of Crookes Road, Ceres, appeared before the Geelong Magistrates Court on 19 January, charged with taking water without the consent of Southern Rural Water.
The court was told that in January 2009, the Barwon River downstream of Inverleigh was placed on a total irrigation ban, and that water licence holders are able to check ban information via a message bank system.
In February 2009, a Southern Rural Water field officer inspecting Mr Battaglia’s property found evidence of irrigation.
Several days later, the field officer observed that Mr Battaglia’s meter recorded that 1.7 megalitres had been used whilst the total ban was in force.
Mr Battaglia pleaded guilty to the offence. He was convicted and fined $2500, and was ordered to pay costs to Southern Rural Water of $2250.
“This is a timely reminder for farmers in the area that they need to stick to total bans,” said Manager Groundwater and Rivers, Craig Parker.
“We understand that they are difficult, but a total ban is our last course of action when waterways are severely depleted. This was only the second time in Southern Rural Water’s history that the Barwon River had stopped flowing completely. We need to ensure that what little water remains in the river stays available to the environment.”
Southern Rural Water encourages members of the public to report possible breaches of water restrictions for investigation. The Barwon River is currently on another total ban.
For more information about restrictions and bans, please contact Southern Rural Water on 1300 139 510 or visit www.srw.com.au.
ENDS.
MEDIA PLEASE NOTE:
For media enquiries please contact Janet Granger-Wilcox on 0434 316 500 or 9259 5005.
| |
| |