Southern Rural Water will host an online submissions hearing on Thursday, 28 August, as part of public consultation relating to Alcoa’s application to use groundwater for mine rehabilitation in Anglesea.
Independent panel members Jennifer Fraser and Rod Marsh will facilitate the hearing, which will include presentations from the independent technical review panel, community members and groups who have provided submissions on the application and from Alcoa.
Both Jennifer and Rod are experienced facilitators who have worked within the water sector. While Rod has experience across the public, private and non-profit sectors, Jennifer is a highly experienced executive and a director at North East Water.
The call for community submissions opened on Monday, 2 June, and continued through to Friday, 11 July, with approximately 170 individual submissions received.
Alcoa’s application seeks to amend the existing groundwater licence from 4,000 megalitres a year down to 1,500 megalitres a year for a period of 10 years. Alcoa seeks to use groundwater for a mine at Camp Road, Anglesea, to accelerate the filling process and support achievement of its mine rehabilitation and closure plan.
Southern Rural Water Managing Director Cameron FitzGerald said those who have put in a submission are invited to speak to their submission at the online hearing.
“It is important that the community has the opportunity to have their say. We want to make sure all submitters have the chance to present their perspectives and have them closely considered as a part of a transparent process,” he said.
Following the submissions hearing, the panel will deliberate on the submissions and what has been presented at the hearing. They will then prepare a report, which Southern Rural Water is required to consider, together with the submissions themselves and a range of matters under the Water Act 1989 when making a determination on the Alcoa application.
Southern Rural Water is responsible for regulating groundwater in Southern Victoria under the Water Act 1989 and is required to consult the community on significant applications under its delegated duties.
To attend the online hearing, visit the Have your say - Aloca page and register your interest by Friday, 22 August. Those who have provided submissions are invited to speak to their submission at the hearing. All members of the public can attend the online hearing.