North East Water confirms site for Mount Beauty water plant despite petition against location

GP Damian Heman heads the group which attracted more than 1000 signatures on a petition to move the site from its proposed location on Embankment Drive, a busy tourist precinct.

After the project to secure the town's water was paused in September due to community concerns, North East Water acting managing director Anthony Hernan said a criteria assessment determined Embankment Drive was the most suitable option.

Several additional locations had been identified by the community.

"Its location was deemed the highest ranked based on social, environmental, technical and economic factors," Mr Hernan said.

Dr Heman said the call was "grossly misaligned" with community belief.

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"Their report shows a fundamental lack of understanding of the issues and a complete disregard for over 1000 people who signed the petition," Dr Heman said.

"They have also lobbed the report onto the community with a few days notice for community meetings at the busiest time of the year.

"It is true they have some supporters, but it is mostly from people who are attracted to their promise of improvements which they can't guarantee they can deliver.

"There is serious concern about safety, environmental and aesthetic issues relating to the proposed weir, not to mention the size and scale of this industrial construction on our river's edge."

The community group has sought an independent review and assessment.

North East Water will run a community drop-in session at the Mount Beauty Auditorium on Thursday from 5pm-8pm to answer any questions.

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