Bendigo Groundwater Project - Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Bendigo’s groundwater a problem?
Groundwater is a natural part of our environment.
Under Bendigo, within the network of disused and abandoned mines, naturally occurring groundwater has been gradually recovering to natural levels since mining ceased in 2011.
If not managed, groundwater can pose risks to the Bendigo Creek and surrounds and to the operation of the Central Deborah tourist mine.
What is the Bendigo Groundwater Project?
The Department Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) has been working with local stakeholders, community groups and government agencies to develop a plan to deal with rising groundwater.
Coliban Water, in partnership with DELWP, will deliver the Transitional Solution for the Bendigo community.
The Transitional Solution will:
- Prevent uncontrolled discharge of groundwater into Bendigo’s waterways
- Enable Central Deborah to continue to operate deep underground tours
- Provide sufficient time for DELWP to work with the community to develop long-term, sustainable water management methods to minimise impacts of uncontrolled discharges of groundwater from historical mine workings to the Bendigo community and environment.
What is the Transitional Solution?
The Transitional Solution will involve extracting the water from the New Moon Mine shaft, treating it and constructing a storage lagoon at Coliban Water’s Water Reclamation Plant located in Epsom.
The water will be treated to remove arsenic, hydrogen sulphide (rotten egg gas), metals and salts. Once treated, there is the potential for the treated water to be re-used or returned to the environment in the future.
The Transitional Solution will allow time for a long-term solution to be developed.
How much will the project cost?
The Victorian Government has committed $23.2 million to fund the Transitional Solution for a period of up to five years.
Has the community been consulted?
Over the past two years DELWP has undertaken extensive consultation with affected communities, local government and other key agencies.
The Transitional Solution is based on a preferred option recommended by the Bendigo Groundwater Community Reference Group and endorsed by the State and Local Government Advisory Group.
What are the next steps?
Coliban Water will now undertake a tender process for the design and construction of the Transitional Solution.
Environment Protection Authority Victoria approval is required and further consultation with the community will be undertaken over the coming month on the proposed works to deliver the solution.
What will this consultation involve?
Two community information sessions will be held on Wednesday 27 July for community members to come along and find out more about the Bendigo Groundwater Project and the Transitional Solution.
How long with the Transitional Solution be in place?
The Transitional Solution has a life of up to five years. This timing has been selected to provide sufficient time to effectively evaluate options for the long-term solution.
Construction is expected to begin this spring and be completed by the end of summer 2017. Operation of the system will commence in Autumn 2017.
Will water still be delivered to Woodvale?
Water is not planned to go to Woodvale under any of the management options being considered by the State Government.
Why are historical mines around Bendigo being uncapped?
DELWP is looking at alternatives to the New Moon Mine shaft for Coliban Water to use and extract groundwater as a contingency measure in case the New Moon shaft becomes inaccessible in the future.
Is the community currently at risk?
The situation is being carefully managed and does not pose an immediate risk to the environment or community.
Currently groundwater from the Central Deborah tourist mine is being pumped to the New Chum line of workings via the Eureka Shaft.
Is the Central Deborah tourist mine safe from groundwater?
The pumping arrangements currently in place ensure that deep levels of the tourist mine are not inundated and deep tours can continue to operate whilst the Transitional Solution is being implemented.
Will there be additional costs to customers as a result of this project?
No. There will be no additional costs passed to customers through their bills as a result of the Transitional Solution.
Could the Transitional Solution become the long-term solution?
The Transitional Solution has a maximum life of five years.
In seeking a long-term solution, an extensive range of water management options will be sought by DELWP and considered by the Community Reference Group before a preferred option is recommended to government.