The three shires will approach the Victorian Planning Minister Richard Wynne for a “GC” planning scheme amendment to allow local planning policy for the extraction of groundwater for bottling to go out to the public.

The push has been led by Alpine Council, who have drafted the policy.

It contains a range of proposals, including that water extraction facilities must be managed to minimise the effect on the surrounding area, discouraged in areas in close proximity to homes, and trucks accessing the facility must be fitted with GPS monitoring.

While it won’t mean each council can refuse an application for groundwater extraction – under the Water Act 1989, it is a matter for Goulburn-Murray Water – it will enable them to consider amenity impacts of the applications.

Voting for Indigo Council’s support of the move, councillor James Trenery said there were limitations identified in the time he was mayor.

“Meeting with the mayors, we knew without change there wasn’t a lot we could do in the future,” he said.

“I congratulate the current mayor for continuing on with this.”

Deputy Mayor Bernard Gaffney referenced the ongoing saga at Stanley, where a planning permit for water extraction was refused by council but overturned by The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

“We need to take into account the amenity affect on agriculture, the loss of agricultural land and the environment,” he said.

“We need to take into account whether our road network can accommodate the truck movements, particularly in regards to the Yackandandah bridge, where I believe an accident is waiting to happen.

“We must establish who pays for the damage caused to community assets.

“I think it’s important Indigo, Alpine and Towong speak as one – in unity, there is strength.”