NEW ADVERTISER!

The land affected by the application is located at:

The applicant for the permit is: Mr Matthew Buckmaster The application reference number is: 22/0346

You may look at the application and any documents that support the application at the office of the responsible authority: Surf Coast Shire, 1 Merrijig Drive, Torquay VIC 3228 This can be done during office hours, 8:30am – 5:00pm Monday to Friday, free of charge. You can view the application online through Council’s eplanning portal: https://eplanning.surfcoast.vic.gov.au/Account/Login.aspx

Any person who may be affected by the granting of the permit may object or make other submissions to the responsible authority. An objection must be made to the responsible authority in writing, include the reasons for the objection and state how the objector would be affected. The responsible authority must make a copy of every objection available at its office for any person to inspect during office hours free of charge until the end of the period during which an application may be made for review of a decision on the application. A copy of all objections is provided to the Permit Applicant. If you object, the Responsible Authority will tell you its decision. The Responsible Authority will not decide on the application before: 3 February 2023 (or until a minimum of 14 days after the last notice is given)

The two pump sheds shown in the Inverleigh Historical Society calendar for February tell some part of the history of Inverleigh’s water supply. The one on the left was a private shed housing a pump owned by the adjacent landowner from the Horseshoe Inn (“Lawson’s”) nearby for stock and domestic use. Residents owning blocks of land fronting the Leigh River were permitted to pump from the river, providing they supplied their own pump and infrastructure.

Prior to town water being supplied to residents in the original township of Inverleigh, they supplied their own tanks to collect rain water from the roof of their house or shed for all their water needs. Tanks were usually made of corrugated iron and were not huge, so the amount of water caught did not always allow enough for flower and produce gardens. Rainfall is fickle and as most people know a very wet year may be followed by a number of dry ones, when water is at a premium. As now there were water carters, who charged for their services.

In 1946 town councillors were considering a dam on the Moorabool River to supply the townships of Bannockburn and Meredith with town water. By 1951 Bannockburn Shire Council was making further efforts to supply water to Bannockburn and Inverleigh from a Moorabool supply and by 1952 the residents of Inverleigh had approved a plan to supply water to the 450 residents at a cost of £10,650. The population at the 1976 census was 252, so there was room for some expansion.

The Bannockburn and District Waterworks Trust was founded in 1969 to supply most of the Shire of Bannockburn as well as Teesdale and Shelford. A pumping station and service basin was built on the Moorabool River near Meredith and reticulated water was turned on in 1974, although ideas had been discussed as early as 1946. The original supply for Inverleigh came by pipe from Bannockburn along Harvey Road and into a water tower 85 metres above the town on the north bank of the Leigh River which enabled a fair water pressure. In 1976 Shelford was connected via a pipeline from Meredith. Another main from Sheoaks supplied Bannockburn. After a merger and later takeover by the Geelong and District Water Board, now Barwon Water, supplies to Teesdale and Inverleigh were improved. Bores sunk near Inverleigh had proved to be too saline for potable water. The bore field in the Otways has been contentious and pumping from the ground water stopped.

Our current supply comes by pipe from Teesdale, travelling from a header tank on the corner of Bakers Lane and the Teesdale Shelford Road and along the road edge of the Common Road firebreak. Another line feeds from Bannockburn. Lal Lal and Stoney Creek reservoirs supply Inverleigh and there is a water treatment plant at Sheoaks. A 1998 Inverleigh Structure Plan for Inverleigh suggested a water supply beyond Mahers Road, which is higher than the town would require booster pumps to enable household supply. This is still on our wish list and still features on our current Structure plan. The second shed was erected and initially a diesel pump paid for and maintained by the by the Inverleigh Progress Association. This was a community service for local residents, who were unable to collect enough water to supply all their household needs. A key system was introduced and still applies. Residents can purchase a key to use the pump.

In September 2020 the original private shed was dismantled, and a new shed built on the footprint of the old Progress Association shed. This now houses two electric pumps with a more convenient arrangement of taps. The treasurer of the Progress Association, Tony Waayers, who has since moved into Geelong, designed the building and organised the work to be done. Painting was done by the Leigh District Lions Club. The building works cost $4,750 and was financed by the Association. Murray McMillan is now the contact who organises and maintains a list of keys. His details are in the Leigh News.

Luanne Thornton, Inverleigh Progress Association