23 October 2008
STATEMENT FROM CHERYL BATAGOL, CHAIRMAN, MELBOURNE WATER
“The Victorian Government and Melbourne’s water authorities are investing in new water projects at record levels to boost Melbourne’s water supplies by 240 billion litres by the end of 2011.
“The three major water projects currently being implemented – Australia’s largest desalination plant, the Sugarloaf Pipeline and the reconnection of Tarago Reservoir – are the only way to deliver this.
“These major water projects will give us a healthy buffer well beyond 2012. They will help us rebuild our water storages, plus allow for a growing population.
“However, the past 12 years have shown how quickly water security can change, especially when you consider our reservoirs have dropped from full to two-thirds empty in that time.
“Both the Government and Melbourne Water agree that we can’t afford to be complacent in the face of climate change, which will mean a future of less rainfall.
“That’s why the Government’s plan also provides for one of the biggest water recycling facilities in the world at our Eastern Treatment Plant. Technology trials for this upgrade have been running since the start of 2008.
“Once the upgrade is complete, the Eastern Treatment Plant will provide up to 100 billion litres of Class A recycled water for non-drinking purposes.
“The Government is already planning for the long-term future by building the desalination plant so it can be scaled up to produce another 50 billion litres of water per year if needed.
“Despite the challenges we face as a community, Melbourne is well on the road to building a sustainable water future. We already recycle more water across all uses than any other major city in the nation, we are installing more water tanks and our per capita consumption is down 35% from the 1990s.
“One positive from the past 12 years of drought is that we now treat water like the precious resource it is. That attitude will need to endure.”
BACKGROUND
The three major upgrades in the Victorian Government’s $4.9 billion water plan that will provide 240 billion litres p.a. to Melbourne from 2012 are:
- Reconnection of Tarago Reservoir – 15GL from mid-2009
- Sugarloaf Reservoir – 75 GL from 2010
- Desalination Plant – 150GL from end-2011 (with capacity to go to 200GL)
In addition, the upgrade of the Eastern Treatment Plant to produce up to 100GL of recycled water p.a. for non-drinking purposes is due around 2012. In 06/07, Melbourne’s water authorities recycled over 65 billion litres of water. Since restrictions were introduced in 2002, Melbourne has saved around 370 billion litres of water – roughly the equivalent of a year’s supply. Melbourne’s storages are currently at 34.2% compared with 40.1% this time last year.
Media Contact: Andrew McGinnes +613 9235 7277 +61 (0)403 930 846