LANDS ACQUISITION ACT 1989
PRE-ACQUISITION DECLARATION
- Acquisition
In accordance with the Lands Acquisitions Act 1989, I am considering the acquisition of the interests in land specified in paragraph 3 for the public purpose described in paragraph 4. The Murray-Darling Basin Authority is the acquiring authority.
2. The land
The land is two properties. The first property is described as part of Crown Allotment 7B in Title Plan TP752043X, identified in Schedules 1 & 2. The second property is described as part of Lot 1 (formally known as part of Crown Allotment 5A) in Title Plan TP220342F, identified in Schedules 1 & 3. Both properties are located in the Parish of Gunbower, Victoria. These properties are located on Cohuna Island Road, approximately 12 kilometres north-west of Cohuna, Victoria, as set out in Schedule 1.
3. The interests in the land
This declaration relates to the acquisition of two easements for flooding, the first identified as “E-1” in Schedule 2 and the second identified as “E-1” in Schedule 3, in the land specified in paragraph 2.
4. The public purpose
The public purpose of the acquisition is to enable the Murray-Darling Basin Authority to give directions for, and to manage, the release of water from the Gunbower Creek into the Gunbower Forest for environmental watering purposes.
5. Suitability for development for use for a public purpose
The land is located on the boundary of the Gunbower Forest and forms part of the natural floodplain. As a result, it is suitable for the public purpose described in paragraph 4.
6. Particulars of proposed development for use
The proposed releases will be from Gunbower Creek into the Gunbower Forest at a rate of up to, but not exceeding, 1,650 megalitres in any period of 24 hours measured at the Hipwell Rd Regulator, for a minimum of 90 days, six out of every 10 years on a rolling basis.
7. Reasons why the land appears to be suitable for the proposed development for use
The land specified in paragraph 2 is suitable for the use described in paragraph 6 because it borders the Gunbower Forest. The easement specified in paragraph 3 will provide security for the proposed environmental watering of Gunbower Forest in the event that water released from Gunbower Creek encroaches on and inundates the land.
Dated this 21st day of February 2013.
Guy Verney
Delegate of the Minister for Finance and Deregulation
Assistant Secretary
Heritage, Environment and Land Policy Branch
Property and Construction Division
Department of Finance and Deregulation
Note: This Pre-Acquistion Declaration signifies that the Murray-Darling Basin Authority is considering an acquisition of the interest in land specified in paragraph 3. It does NOT mean the interest in land has been acquired.
Schedule 1
Schedule 2 - TP752043X
Schedule 3 - TP220342F