THE issue of bore water extraction for commercial bottling in the Musk area has intensified following a heated discussion at Hepburn Shire Council's meeting last week.

Musk residents first contacted Cr Heather Mutimer with their concerns in May.

Cr Mutimer proposed a motion for council to write to Water Minister John Thwaites at last week's council meeting.

But councillors voted to wait until further information was available before taking action with government authorities.

Musk residents have been concerned bore water being carted out of rural properties was having a detrimental impact on the environment.

Nearby residents, who have noticed tankers carting water from a privately-owned bore, have questioned the ethics behind a law allowing the precious resource to be used without community consultation.

The property was sold along with its existing groundwater licence and Goulburn-Murray Water's transfer application process did not require the transferee to notify the authority of their water use intentions.

Cr Mutimer said the motion was not a personal attack on anyone.

"It shocks me that a natural water source can be given away to a commercial water bottling company.

"It means someone can continuously pump water all year round for a cost of just $90 per annum," she said.

Cr David Smith expressed his concern.

"The issue has only been on the table for a week. There's no way we can pass a motion without further consultation," he said.

Cr Bill McClenaghan said he wanted council to stand on its own two feet and deal with the issue as a local organisation.

"Why should we always write to ministers? We do it all the time," he said.

Shouts of "keep it local" came from the gallery.

Cr Tim Hayes said he felt for Musk residents affected by the operation and said he was interested in hearing what the community had to say. The issue will be discussed at Hepdhburn Shire council's next meeting on July 17 at Creswick

RSL.