Water Projects the Roadmap Back From Restrictions
Posted May 4th, 2010 Comments (1) | Share | tags: Budget 2010/11, Water
A $10 million household and industry water-saving package will complement the Brumby Labor Government’s multi-billion-dollar water projects, which are securing Victoria’s water supply into the future.
The Minister for Water, Tim Holding, said the Brumby Labor Government was taking action to deliver a comprehensive range of water projects to secure water for Victorian families and communities, including Victoria’s Desalination Project, the Food Bowl Modernisation Project and the Geelong-Melbourne Pipeline.
“Victorians are now reaping the benefits of the tough decisions that our Government took in 2007 to secure Victoria’s water supplies,” Mr Holding said.
“With water restrictions eased in hundreds of towns and water being returned to stressed river systems, Victorians are overcoming the worst drought in the State’s history.”
Mr Holding said the 2010 State Budget household and industry water-saving package included:
- $5 million for 5000 additional rainwater tank rebates;
- $2.9 million to expand programs to reduce leaks and wastage of firewater in buildings and the appointment of 10 extra water industry advisers;
- $750,000 to extend the Brumby Labor Government’s Showerhead Exchange Program which will bring the total number of free showerheads given to Victorians to 500,000;
- $750,000 for industry and commercial water efficiency incentives; and
- $600,000 to double the rebate for dual-flush toilets from $50 to $100 which will replace 12,000 inefficient toilets.
“Victorians have done a great job saving water in recent years, which has eased the pressure on our depleted storages after 13 years of drought,” Mr Holding said.
“These water conservation measures will help households and industry save even more water.
“Our $2.8 billion investment in vital water projects has helped Victoria’s water supplies turn the corner and now Victorians are seeing the results, with less severe water restrictions in more than 270 towns, as well as in Melbourne, Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo.”
Mr Holding said the 2010 State Budget included an extra $56 million to help low income Victorians with rising water costs.
“The Brumby Labor Government has taken the tough decisions to build a desalination plant and invest in our water grid to secure water supplies,” Mr Holding said.
“Concessions for water bills for low-income earners have been increased to help offset the rise in water bills to fund Victoria’s vital water infrastructure projects.
“Melbourne’s water prices have traditionally been very low compared to other states and we expect the cost of water will remain among the lowest of any major Australian city into the future.”
Major water projects underway across Victoria include:
- Victoria’s $3.5 billion desalination plant at Wonthaggi;
- The $2 billion Food Bowl Modernisation Project;
- The Eastern Treatment Plant upgrade; and
- Geelong-Melbourne Pipeline.
Recently completed Victorian water projects include:
- The $750 million Sugarloaf Pipeline;
- The $688 million Wimmera Mallee Pipeline; and
- The $180 million Goldfields Superpipe.