Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall MP recently acknowledged Moree Plains Shire Council in State Parliament for its innovative reuse of spent artesian spa water in the construction of the Moree Water Ski Lakes.
Environmental issues relating to the disposal of spent spa water from Moree’s popular and world-renown artesian spa industry into the Mehi River were raised by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA).
The EPA mandated that the discharging of spent spa water into the Mehi River was to cease.
A seven-kilometre pipeline stretching from the Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre to the Evergreen Precinct will convey about 600 million litres of spent water to the soon-to-be-completed Moree Water Ski Lakes.
The Moree Water Ski Lakes will consist of two water ski lakes 800 metres long, built in compliance with International and Australian water skiing standards. The third lake is 1.2 kilometres long, over 200 metres wide and designed as a circuit lake for a wide range of water sports.
Project Manager John Carleton said Council faced an environmental problem and turned it into a winning economic and tourism opportunity for the Moree Plains region.
“The lakes are designed to cater for an array of water based activities such as water skiing, rowing, dragon boat racing, jet skiing, wakeboards, canoeing and kayaking.
“The Moree Artesian Aquatics Centre and the Moree Water Ski Lakes will create a drawcard for health, wellbeing and sporting enthusiasts with flow-on effects across the community for supporting industries including food, fuel and accommodation.”
The contractor is in the final stages of construction and the Moree Water Ski Lakes are expected to be operational this coming summer.
