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Collapse Issue 528:<br />20 Sep 2021<br />_____________Issue 528:
20 Sep 2021
_____________
Collapse  NEWS NEWS
Hospital plans new second-storey ward
Cases total 16 in a fortnight
Community group seeks owners of 'abandoned' boats
Post office support promised with bank branch closure
Ferry engine restoration well under way
CWA branch calls for action on affordable housing
Fire brigade presentation live online
Volunteers wanted to help water Guyangil Park
Photos of banksia grove wanted
Walkers raise $15,000 for Pearl Beach hall
Bays art show rescheduled to February
Video inspired by arboretum
House fire
Progress association annual meeting
MP's message to think about and talk with others
Soft plastics recycling available through kerbside bin
Food and wine event cancelled
Donations wanted for The Price is Right
Charge laid after stabbing
Tribute to Albert Quilkey
Market stallholders go online
Just about average rainfall
Collapse  PLANNING PLANNING
Groundwater extraction to resume under Water Plan
Hospital additions are 'well-designed modern facilities'
Ettalong foreshore petition gains 1200 signatures
Public planning forum to be held in West Gosford
Collapse  FORUM FORUM
Give scrutiny to draft water strategy effect on watertable
Put the cars where the space is
Not so enthused about direct democracy
Premier should read 1995 EPA report
Collapse  HEALTH HEALTH
Aged care staff close to 100 per cent vaccinated
Umina medical practice closes
Peninsula has 15 coronavirus exposures over six sites
Melissa helps staff Covid intensive care unit
Slow under-50s uptake as vaccinations continue
Aboriginal health clinic to open in Umina
Collapse  EDUCATION EDUCATION
Dom is accepted to attend youth science forum
Student executive applications are now open
Inadequate vaccine supply for teachers, says Tesch
Collapse  SPORT SPORT
Bridge club holds online trials
Bridge club holds regional qualifier online

Groundwater extraction to resume under Water Plan

Central Coast Council's groundwater extraction "borefield" on the Peninsula, which "has been operating in standby mode", would be brought online in around three years, according to the council's draft Water Security Plan.

An associated leaflet supporting the groundwater option states: "Council is looking to provide five megalitres per day from groundwater, commencing the production output at the Woy Woy Groundwater Treatment Plant to produce three megalitres per day and refurbish the existing Mangrove Creek and Bangalow borefields to produce approximately two megalitres per day."

The cost is estimated to be 66 cents a kilolitre - "the lowest levelised cost compared with Council's other shortlisted options".

The cost to build the option is just $500,000, because "the majority of required infrastructure is currently in place". Annual operating cost is estimated at $400,000.

However, the yield "is relatively low compared to other options", several of which cost more than $100 million to build.

The leaflet described the reliability and resilience of groundwater extraction as high, as "natural underground reservoirs provide a reliable source of water, but still rely on rainfall to recharge".

It claimed environmental impacts are low, with "low energy use dependent on the level of treatment provided".

It stated that environmental baseline monitoring was required to ensure potential ecological risks were understood and managed.

It also claimed social and cultural impacts were low, with "community interest in process, reliability and safety".

The delivery timeframe was three to seven years.

The draft plan states: "Groundwater can be a replenishable and sustainable source of water.

"Our approach to recommissioning and enhancing our groundwater use includes restoring the existing groundwater systems at Woy Woy, and monitoring the performance and impact on extraction for long-term sustainable practice."

Actions listed in the plan include investigating the sustainable yield for groundwater at Woy Woy, and ongoing performance monitoring of extraction on the groundwater for a sustainable yield.

In a frequently-asked questions section, it is stated that Central Coast Council has an existing licence to extract and treat groundwater from the shallow aquifer at Woy Woy Peninsula.

"Existing government regulations are in place to ensure that Council extracts groundwater in a sustainable manner.

"The extraction of groundwater by Council is governed by licence conditions and water sharing plans regulated Department of Planning Industry and Environment.

"Regular environmental monitoring is undertaken to assess potential impacts of groundwater extraction on the aquifers and environment, including Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems."

However, no detail of the monitoring has been included in or with the draft plan.

"Further environmental and hydro-geological investigations will be undertaken at existing and potential groundwater extraction locations to confirm the yield potential of the aquifers as well as any environmental impacts of increased extraction.

"As part of the Central Coast Security Plan, Council proposes to utilise the existing groundwater allocation and investigate the potential to increase extraction of water within the current limits set in place and regulated by the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment."

The plan is on exhibition for public comment until September 28.





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