Lake Wendouree: $5m price tag to refill

CENTRAL Highlands Water will charge almost $5 million to transmit about $1 million worth of water through its infrastructure to refill Lake Wendouree.That's the charge under CHW's water transmission policy.But the $5 million price tag is not deterring organisers of the Fill Our Lake Campaign in their efforts to raise funds to buy a water right to restore the city icon back to its former glory. They believe any figure is achievable.CHW chairman John Barnes acknowledged yesterday that while the cost to buy the water was $500,000 to $1 million, the transmission fee to get the water to the lake was $4.9 million."I don't want Central Highlands Water to be seen as the party-poopers here, but the people behind this campaign have failed to do their basic homework," Mr Barnes said.Under the CHW water transmission policy, people who want to purchase water are charged a standard fee of $1.40 per kilolitre.Figures show that Lake Wendouree needs 3500 megalitres of water, meaning that under the standard fees that would be a bill of $4.9 million for the transmission of the water alone. It is believed another $500,000 would be needed to actually purchase the water.Earlier this week Natures Cargo owner Graham Wilkie announced the campaign to raise community funds for a water right to buy the 3500 megalitres needed to fill the lake immediately. At the time the campaign was launched it was believed that up to $1 million was needed to buy the water.However, Mr Barnes said buyers must pay for water purchased in the Goulburn Valley system to be transmitted."There also needs to be assurances that the water is fully treated. There are technical issues in delivering water from the White Swan Reservoir to Lake Wendouree. If the water bought is not part of the reticulation system, those buying it must invest in alternative ways of delivering the water," Mr Barnes said.He said those behind the campaign to refill the lake should have made basic inquiries about likely costs and technical issues. "Their $1 million price tag is way off the mark."However, the campaign's organiser is not deterred by the higher figure to refill the lake. "It's all achievable . . . its not unrealistic," Mr Wilkie said."I am confident that any amount of money to be raised is achievable. Irrespective of what the price tag is, the community wants the lake to be refilled."