Bass Coast Shire Council voted to adopt the Integrated Water Management Plan 2020 – Strategy Document (IWMP) at its June Council Meeting.
The IWMP identifies Council’s role as a responsible stormwater manager and water consumer and outlines a commitment to work with the water sector and the community to better plan, manage and deliver water to the Bass Coast community.
The IWMP establishes six strategic objectives relating to Council’s role in the water cycle. Forecast development growth in Bass Coast creates significant stormwater-related considerations. Taking an Integrated Water Management approach will assist Council to address stormwater issues and plan for potable water supplies and wastewater management.
By adopting the IWMP – Strategy Document as a first step, Council is setting the strategic objectives for integrated water management in Bass Coast. The next step will be to review and endorse the IWMP – Implementation Plan.
The Implementation Plan will identify projects, partnerships and funding opportunities in Bass Coast to achieve objectives identified in the Strategy Document. Some of these project opportunities are already well advanced, such as the Pioneer Bay road and drainage upgrade project, in partnership with Melbourne Water.
Bass Coast Shire Mayor, Cr Brett Tessari said the value of an Integrated Water Management planning approach lies in its consideration of the entire water cycle.
“Another significant benefit of developing an IWMP is the strengthening of relationships between Council and water authorities and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning,” Cr Tessari said.
“It will also allow us to gain an insight into how other regions manage water sustainably and develop their projects.”
