Boosting Victoria's Water

A $4.9 billion investment in water infrastructure and more realistic water pricing has welcomed by Brunswick MP, Carlo Carli.

These investments by the Bracks Government will increase water supplies for Melbourne by fifty per cent within five years.


Mr Carli said it was essential to invest to secure water supplies for the next 20 years.


“We will all benefit from $4.9 billion investment in Australia’s largest desalination plant, major irrigation upgrades and an expansion of the Victorian Water Grid,” Mr Carli said.


“This investment will provide long term security for Melbourne and ensures that Victoria’s economy and population can continue to grow.”


Mr Carli said this second phase of the water strategy, announced this week by Premier Steve Bracks, will deliver the single biggest boost to Victoria’s water supplies in decades.


“The 2004 Our Water Our Future plan helped save over 100 billion litres of water per year across Melbourne and began the planning for the next stage of major water projects,” Mr Carli said.



A Desalination Plant for Victoria


“The desalination plant in the Wonthaggi region will provide Melbourne with over 150 billion litres of fresh drinking water every year regardless of rainfall levels or the impact of climate change.”


Reverse osmosis technology will convert the seawater into drinking water, which will be piped 85 kilometres into Cardinia and Silvan Reservoirs to connect to Melbourne’s supply system.



Irrigation Infrastructure


Mr Carli said water savings from a major irrigation upgrade in Northern Victoria would be shared equally between northern Victorian farmers, stressed rivers and Melbourne.


“$1 billion will be invested in the first stage to capture 225 billion litres of water that is currently lost through evaporation and leakage from ageing irrigation channels. This will be funded by $600 million from the State Government and contributions from water authorities.


“$750 million will also be invested by Melbourne Water to build a 70 kilometre pipeline from the Goulburn to Sugarloaf Reservoir to transfer 75 billion litres of water to Melbourne by 2010.



More realistic Water Pricing


Average water bills in Melbourne, currently at least 20 per cent lower than any other any capital city, are expected to double over the next five years, with the desalination plant and Sugarloaf pipeline accounting for almost half the increase.


“The pricing proposals from water authorities will be overseen by the Essential Services Commission, the independent price regulator, who will undertake community consultation on the new prices from September.”


“I will be keen to work with water authorities and the government to develop more realistic pricing for water which also protects disadvantaged families from undue financial stress.” Mr. Carli said.


Other measures

In addition to boosting supplies, the State Government will also increase the use of recycled water, require large industry to save more water and reconnect the Tarago Reservoir in 2009.


“Saving water has become a feature of our local community - I urge people wanting to save more water at home to contact your local water authority to exchange your old showerhead for a water efficient one for free,” Mr Carli said.


Community information sessions on the second stage of the Our Water Our Future plan will commence shortly. For more details visit www.ourwater.vic.gov.au or call 136 186.