MANSFIELD Shire Council will conduct a feasibility study to investigate sewerage solutions in Goughs Bay, utilising funding from the Victorian Government.
The lakeside town currently has no town wastewater system, relying on individual septic systems of varying age and condition.
The investment has been triggered due to population growth in the area, increasing the number of houses in the area.
With more houses, there is a higher risk that sewerage could impact the waters of Lake Elidon, lowering water quality in communities who rely on these natural resources.
Council currently conducts inspections of the individual systems at a significant cost.
It is hoped that the feasibility study will allow the council to assess when it would be viable to install a town–wide sewage treatment facility, lowering the likelihood for incidents to occur.
Speaking at the February 21 council meeting, Councillor Rohan Webb emphasised the economic impacts that infrastructure projects such as this will have for towns around the shire.
"This is a significant step into the activating Lake Eildon project," he said.
"It unlocks a significant amount of potential for commercial development."
A total of $117,520 was acquired through the Victorian Government's Enhancing Urban Water Security, Iconic Urban Waterways and Recreational Values initiative with the rest of the $157,000 provided from Council, Goulburn–Murray Water (GMW), and Goulburn Valley Water (GVW).
The study will make use of the Small Town Domestic Wastewater Management Tool, to assist narrowing down potential options.
Once the study is complete a recommendation will be made as to the preferred option, or options, to progress the project.
Councillor Mark Holcombe said, "This is an urgent matter and it has to be a priority."
