Published on Thursday, 16 September 2010 at 12:00:00 AM
Onslow’s ongoing water issue is having adverse effects on future development in the town, after the Shire of Ashburton approved a further three developments in its September Council meeting in Onslow on Wednesday.
These developments contribute a further $4m, to recent development approvals of up to $7m and are a mixture of holiday accommodation and business ventures.
However inadequate water supply could further impede future growth and investment in the area, with the projects now stalled for two to five years because building licenses are subject to adequate water supply by the Water Corporation.
The Water Corporation recently placed a hold on allowing any further water service connections in Onslow for new land developments, with the exception of permitting a 20mm water service to existing urban zoned vacant land on the basis that the current supply plus estimated supply of these known vacant lots would utilise all available daily water supply.
The Shire President Cr Greg Musgrave said Council had worked to provide investment opportunities, through the Onslow Townsite Strategy and Ashburton Visioning initiatives.
“Onslow is on the verge of great opportunities and to have business development of this magnitude will support the economic and social fabric of the community.”
“Council has notification of similar development applications, whilst they still require Council approval, they also anticipate delay as they require access to water.”
“As a Council we are sympathetic of the commercial impact this water constraint has on the economic viability of these individual investments.”
Cr Musgrave said he feared investors would pull out as costs escalated from delays in the projects.
“These Development Applications may double in their construction price by the time water becomes available, which may ultimately render the projects unviable – negating the investment opportunity and leaving the community of Onslow and the Shire of Ashburton with nothing.”
Shire of Ashburton Takes Steps to Become a Waterwise Council
The Shire of Ashburton is taking steps at a micro level to maximise current water usage in Onslow through the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding with the Water Corporation. This MOU will see stormwater harvesting and greywater systems established in the town and in the future more services connections set up.
However Shire President Cr Greg Musgrave has called on the State Government to support the Shire and help address the issue and challenged the Water Corporation to publicly provide timeframes and strategies to help rectify the water situation.
“While we are extremely proud of these measures it is still not enough to facilitate major investment projects in Onslow – we want answers,” he said.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Shire of Ashburton President Greg Musgrave - Mobile 0417 080 037
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