Tara Murray
Strengthening the water grid through increasing capacity of the Melbourne Geelong interconnector is among the options to secure water for the state in the future.
The state government today released the draft Central and Gippsland region sustainable water strategy that will address the impacts of these challenges on water security for cities, towns, agriculture and Traditional Owners and the health of rivers and waterways.
It’s hoped the plans will help meeting the challenges of a warmer and drier climate, changing demands and population growth.
Minister for Water Lisa Neville
As the climate gets drier all options need to be considered – including increasing the use of recycled water for non-drinking
purposes, desalination and saving more water across households, industry, agriculture, sporting fields, parks and gardens.
By 2065, the Melbourne and Geelong region will be relying on manufactured water for an estimated 75 per cent of
its supplies.
As well as strengthening the water grid, the plan looks at a regional-scale stormwater harvesting system at Sunbury, using more recycled water for irrigation in the region west of Melbourne and changing the maximum water-use target of 155 litres per person per day to 150 litres per person per day.
Public feedback is now open on the draft.
Details: engage.vic.gov.au/central-and-gippsland-region-sustainable-water-strategy
