The Brumby Labor Government has allocated more than $4 million to improving water quality in seven small towns across Victoria.
Water Minister Tim Holding today awarded grants to water corporations for seven projects as part of Round 2 of the Small Towns Water Quality Fund to upgrade water and domestic wastewater services to small towns.
Mr Holding said the Brumby Government was working to provide safe and reliable drinking water to all Victorian communities.
“It is vital that communities have high-quality drinking water and have sustainable sewerage services, regardless of whether they live in a large or small community,” Mr Holding said.
“The unprecedented drought and the impacts of climate change mean it is more important than ever to provide sustainable water solutions for small towns and communities.
“The Small Towns Water Quality Fund matches dollar for dollar funding up to a maximum of one million dollars, for projects from water authorities and councils that will improve water quality and implement domestic wastewater management plans for small towns.
“The successful projects in Round 2 have demonstrated sustainable solutions to water supply and quality issues facing small towns in country Victoria.
Successful projects under Round 2 of the Small Towns Water Quality Fund include:
- $1 million for a new water supply for Lexton, north east of Ballarat, by connecting the town to the Waubra borefields;
- $1 million for improved water quality for Lake Cullulleraine, Lake Werrimull, Meringur and surrounds in the far north west of Victoria;
- $975,000 for a new water supply for Springhurst, in the north east of Victoria, by connecting to Chiltern’s supply;
- $675,000 to improve water quality for Whitfield, in the King Valley, by sourcing water from the King River;
- $243,500 to install shade cloth over the water supply for Mallacoota, in far east Gippsland, to decrease evaporation and contamination;
- $207,500 to improve water security for Swifts Creek, in East Gippsland, by installing a larger water tank; and
- $89,719 to improve water security for Cavendish, north of Hamilton, by installing shade cloth to prevent evaporation and contamination.
“These small projects are on top of projects to secure water supplies for large regional centres like the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline and the Goldfields Superpipe so that Victorian communities can have a safe and reliable water supply,” Mr Holding said.
Under Round 1 of the Small Towns Water Quality Fund more than $3.5 million was committed to 8 projects from water corporations and local councils.