Bega Council says access to the land is necessary to ensure Bega’s water supply. Photo: sonsam.
A coastal council has locked in a plan to deal with water woes.
During a recent meeting, Bega Valley Shire Council (BVSC) voted to progress plans to acquire land for water security.
Bega’s bore field was constructed in the 1970s and 1980s and consists of six bores on council-owned land – five of these are in use.
But a 2016 assessment found they were nearing their ‘end of life’, and would need to be refurbished or replaced.
Meeting documents state land labelled as “optimal” for new bores is owned by the Bega Pony Club.
“Technical investigations have confirmed the subject land as the preferred long‑term location for future bore infrastructure based on hydrogeological suitability, drought and flood resilience, and reduced contamination and salinity risk,” the documents state.
During discussion, Mayor Russell Fitzpatrick put forward a motion that would see BVSC note its preference to reach a “mutually agreeable outcome” between the council and the pony club.
A compulsory land acquisition would to be used “as a last resort” if an agreement cannot be made by September.
He said “all the discussion” would help in reaching an agreement.
“I would like to see some negotiation with the pony club – I think we can all come to agree on that,” he said.
Council meeting documents state that, following investigation works, test bores were installed in January 2019 at the site and monitored throughout 2020.
A separate investigation in 2024 was carried out into options for new bores in the Bega area.
“In particular, the proposed bore locations were identified as optimal due to the increased depth of the aquifer (about five metres deeper than alternative sites), comparable flood resilience to the highest existing bore, proximity to existing water supply infrastructure, and their location upstream of the Brogo River confluence, thereby reducing salinity risk.”
During the meeting, councillor David Porter also put forward amendments which will see councillors visit the site before an agreement.
BVSC will also receive a report before any compulsory acquisition.
“I think it would be good to do it first, so it is clear exactly what is going on, because there seems to be a bit of fuzz or a bit of unclearness about exactly what is being done and how much land is being consumed.
“If we could have a site visit, just to clarify that, please.”
In September 2024 the council started consultation with Bega Pony Club.
Council meeting documents state that compulsory land acquisition is being considered because council officers believe further negotiation is unlikely to achieve an outcome within a reasonable timeframe.
In a statement to Region, a spokesperson for the Bega Pony Club confirmed negotiations were ongoing.
“Bega Pony Club is looking forward to meeting with councillors and council CEO to come to a mutual agreement that benefits both parties,” the spokesperson said.
Mayor Fitzpatrick asked how adding a site visit would impact the timeframe.
“How critical is the situation that we need to get it done in the next six months, or nine months?”
In response, a staff member said the timeline had already been considered by council staff.
“In relation to the works, staff have factored in the timeline that’s in the report – so that September period – to actually implement the works.
“That would be satisfactory if we were meeting those milestones.”
The meeting heard that the easement would cover a small section of the overall site, while a staff member described it as being “eight metres” in size.
“It narrows in, as well, as you move across the site,” the staff member said.
Mr Fitzpatrick also noted the council was only seeking access to the land for a specific use.
“The land will still remain in the pony club’s holding – all we’re after is an easement to access it and to put the bores in, in the first place.”
Council documents state the lot was valued at $18,700 as of 2024.
