Waterways and water
resources
Caring for your waterway
Managing our rivers and creeks to protect water quality should be a high priority for any landholder with a waterway running
through their land.
The hard hooves of animals such as sheep, cattle and horses can erode riverbanks, cause damage to habitats and reduce
water clarity by disturbing the riverbed. Livestock waste is a source of water pollution that can threaten human health and the
health of all aquatic species.
As a landholder, you can take action to improve water quality by:
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providing livestock with a source of drinking water away from waterways
fencing along waterways to prevent livestock entering waterways and dams
revegetating your property along the waterway to stabilise topsoil, slow runoff and improve native habitat. More
information at: http://www.mrsc.vic.gov.au/Waste_Environment/Land_Management/Revegetating_Your_Property
Catchments
A catchment is an area where water is collected by natural landscape features such as rivers, creeks, lakes and dams.
However, catchments also includes man-made features including groundwater, stormwater, wastewater and water-related
infrastructure.
We rely on our catchments for clean drinking water, recreation, water for livestock, irrigation, and industry. It is the role of
Catchment Management Authorities to ensure that human activities do not harm the environment our drinking water comes
from.
Our shire is almost evenly divided between the Maribyrnong River catchment and the Campaspe/Coliban River catchments. A
small area also falls within the Goulburn River Catchment. The Catchment Management Authorities for these areas are:
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North Central Catchment Management Authority
Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority
Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority
Different waterway management responsibilities apply depending on which catchment you are interested in. Visit the
Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning’s online Water in your region tool to find out which catchment your
property is in and who managers the various urban and water resources for your property.
Funding to support river health
You may be eligible for funding to help manage the waterways under your care, depending upon the catchment you are
located in.
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Maribyrnong River Catchment region: see Melbourne Water's Stream Frontage Funding at
www.melbournewater.com.au/getinvolved/applyforfunding/Pages/Stream-frontage-management-program.aspx
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Campaspe and Coliban River Catchments: check for eligibility under the Victorian Landcare grants program at
www.landcarevic.net.au/resources/funding/community-grants-guide/view
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Goulburn Broken Catchment region: individual landowners may be eligible for funding under the Goulburn
Broken Waterway Grants program at www.gbcma.vic.gov.au/funding_opportunities
Standpipes
Standpipes provide water for private (domestic) and commercial water carters.
One standpipe is owned and managed by Macedon Ranges Shire Council. The others are either privately owned, or
managed by Western Water.
A water carter permit is required to take water from some standpipes.
All water taken from standpipes (public or private) must be used in accordance with any water restrictions in force at the time
for the supply system to which the standpipe is connected.
Kyneton standpipe
The standpipe located on Saleyards Road Kyneton, is the only standpipe in the shire managed by Council. The standpipe
meter takes gold coins only and operates on a timer, not on water volume. $1 provides approximately 330 litres of water. ($2
provides approximately 660 litres of water)
Management of water resources
In general rural water licenses and permits for works such as dams, irrigation, off-stream watering and bores is managed by
Southern Rural Water in the south of the Shire and Goulbourn-Murray Water in the north. Urban water resources such as
sewerage and drinking water is generally managed by Coliban Water in the north and Western Water in the south. Some
exceptions may apply.
To find out who manages water in your area, visit the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning’s online Water
in your region tool at www.depi.vic.gov.au/water/water-in-your-region
Rainwater tanks
Installing a rainwater tank is a great way to conserve water.
Generally, a planning permit is not usually required to install a rainwater tank under 4500 litres. There are some exceptions to
this, depending on where your property is located so it is best to check with our Planning and Building units before any works
begin. For example, you may not need a planning permit to install your tank but you will need a building permit if the tank is
elevated off the ground.
It is also important to consider the following before installing your tank:
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Where will the overflow from the tank go? A licensed plumber should be able to connect your overflow pipe to the
stormwater drain where your legal point of discharge is located.
How will you cover your tank to prevent contamination from leaves, animal/bird droppings; and importantly to keep
children and animals out?
For more information, see: Installing a rainwater tank at http://www.depi.vic.gov.au/water/using-waterwisely?redirect=noreferrer&requestedhref=www.depi.vic.gov.au/water/saving-water/water-rebate-program&type=direct
Dams
If you are planning to construct a dam on your property, you must apply for a planning permit. We’ve developed a checklist to
help you through the process. Complete each of the following steps below:
1. Complete a Planning Permit Application and the Dam checklist. You should also review the Dams Policy section of the
Macedon Ranges Planning Scheme.
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Planning Permit application: www.mrsc.vic.gov.au/Planning_Building/Planning_Permits_Approvals/Forms_Fees
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Dam checklist:
www.mrsc.vic.gov.au/Planning_Building/Planning_Permits_Approvals/Permit_Application_Process_and_Checklists_Plan
ning
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Dam policy: http://planningschemes.dpcd.vic.gov.au/schemes/macedonranges/ordinance/22_lpp08_macr.pdf
2. Register your dam with your local water authority, please contact your local water authority. This is a government regulation
that came into effect on 1 January 2011 and requires all new dams or existing dams that have been significantly altered to be
registered
We also encourage you to read through a booklet called Your Dam, Your Responsibility – developed by the Department of
Sustainability and Environment, which outlines various factors you should consider when planning and constructing a dam.
Your Dam, Your Responsibility: www.depi.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/176949/YourDamYourResponsibility.pdf
You should also complete a Dam Safety Emergency Plan template and keep it on hand in the case of an emergency.
Dam Safety Emergency Plan: www.depi.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/176944/DamSafetyEmergencyPlan.pdf
Please Contact our Planning department on (03) 5422 0333 before commencing any works.
Bores, rivers, creeks and irrigation channels
There are specific requirements under the Water Act that you must comply with if you want to extract water from bores, rivers,
creeks and irrigation channels.
In most cases you will need to apply for a licence from your local water authority.
More information
To find out who manages water in your area, visit the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning’s online Water
in your region tool at www.depi.vic.gov.au/water/water-in-your-region
Sourced: 9 September 2015