Surf Coast Shire Council will make a submission to Southern Rural Water (SRW) expressing concerns about Alcoa Australia's application to amend its existing groundwater extraction licence at Anglesea.
In its submission, Council reaffirms that it does not support extraction unless such extraction is proven not to have a detrimental impact on the Anglesea River and/or its catchment.
Council requests that in reviewing the application, SRW considers the risks to the environment and applies the precautionary principle to determine whether the benefits sought outweigh the risks to the groundwater dependent ecosystems, the Anglesea River catchment, and the security of potable water supply to the region.
The submission also:
- Raises concerns the proposal does not meet the purpose of the Water Act 1989 that 'water resources are conserved and properly managed for sustainable use for the benefit of present and future Victorians' especially in the light of the drying conditions in the catchment.
- Raises concerns about the health of the Anglesea River and its catchment and possible causal links with Alcoa's past groundwater extraction from the Upper Eastern View Aquifer and the risks associated with further pumping from this source.
- Urges respectful engagement with the Wadawurrung Traditional Owner Aboriginal Corporation, noting that water extraction is identified as a very high threat to Wadawurrung Country and culture in Paleert Tjaara Dja (Wadawurrung Country Plan 2020-2030).
"We have listened to the community's concerns about the condition of the Anglesea River and the risk that ongoing extraction of groundwater will impact river health," said Mayor, Cr Mike Bodsworth.
"Local people and visitors love the Anglesea River and value the environmental, social and economic benefits it provides. We want to make sure that decisions made now do not jeopardise the long-term health of the river."
Alcoa ceased operations at the Anglesea Mine in 2015 and the Draft Mine Rehabilitation and Closure Plan proposes to fill the mine pit with water. Alcoa have applied to SRW to amend their groundwater extraction licence from 4 gigalitres per year to 1.5 gigalitres per year, which will fill the mine pit in seven to ten years. The alternative strategy is a natural fill over a period of 26 years.
"We strongly encourage Southern Rural Water to engage with the Traditional Owners of this land, who have cared for Country and waterways for millennia", said Mayor, Cr Mike Bodsworth.
The full submission can be read in the 22 July 2025 Council Meeting Agenda, item 4.2 at surfcoast.vic.gov.au/Agenda
