WATER INFRASTRUCTURE BOOST FOR VICTORIA

The Federal Liberal and Nationals’ Government has announced a new commitment of up to $250,000 to help progress the Coldstream Recycled Water Pipeline Scheme in rural Victoria, to become construction-ready.

 

This commitment forms part of an expansion of more than $500 million to the National Water Infrastructure Development Fund, announced today by the Australian Government.

Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the funding boost of more than $500 million includes a feasibility component of $30 million, which is being used to support State and Territory Governments with finalising the design and approval of activities which are required to progress critical water infrastructure projects towards construction.

Mr McCormack said water is the lifeblood of regional communities which is why the Australian Government is investing more to identify and build new water infrastructure through the country.

He said the $250,000 commitment to the Coldstream Recycled Water Pipeline Scheme would assist with finalising the project design, regulatory approvals and operational arrangements.

“The proposed Coldstream Recycled Water Pipeline Scheme, located adjacent to the Yarra River between Coldstream and Healesville in Victoria, involves construction of two Class A water treatment sub-systems and a pipeline and distribution network to deliver up to 1,500 megalitres of recycled water to producers,” he said.

“This is exactly the type of water infrastructure project our Government is backing throughout the nation, to support communities by helping to supply their most critical resource.”

Agriculture and Water Resources Minister David Littleproud said water means wealth and jobs in the regions.

“As a former rural bank manager, I know the value of a megalitre of water to a rural community,” he said.

“We’re proud to be delivering water and wealth to rural communities.”

Federal Member for Casey Tony Smith welcomed the announcement, saying the project is subject to gaining essential planning approvals and completing detailed design work and stands to generate multiple benefits for the region.

“If built, agricultural production, tourism and seasonal employment relating to food and fibre all stand to gain, helping support our exports such as cool climate wines, strawberry farms, fruit orchards, and livestock,” Mr Smith said.

“Subject to finalising the project design and operational arrangements and receiving all necessary regulatory approvals to proceed to construction, the Coldstream Recycled Water Pipeline Scheme is expected to provide businesses covering approximately 1,000 hectares in the region with improved water security and reliability.

“This announcement brings the total Australian Government commitment to co-fund water infrastructure projects and studies in Victoria to over $47 million through the National Water Infrastructure Development Fund and builds on the $865 million the Australian Government is investing to identify and build new water infrastructure throughout the country.”

The Fund’s expansion to more than $1 billion, as well as the existing $2 billion National Water Infrastructure Loan Facility program, means more than $3 billion is now available from the Federal Government to support State and Territory Governments and their project partners, to build new water infrastructure and provide greater social and economic opportunity for Australians.

Further information on the National Water Infrastructure Development Fund is available at https://infrastructure.gov.au/infrastructure/water-infrastructure/nwi-development-fund/.

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