A $113 million recycled water project securing water supply for farmland across Cardinia Shire is now full steam ahead.
Minister for Water Harriet Shing announced in Cora Lynn on Thursday 3 October the Western Port Recycled Water Scheme is fully funded and within 5 years will provide long-term community, environmental and economic benefits to farmers in the South East.
“This is a major milestone for Victoria’s South East, securing long term and sustainable water supplies for our fast growing communities while creating more local jobs for Victorians,” Minister Shing said.
“The Western Port Recycled Water Scheme will help boost the resilience of local farmers, growers, and irrigators – supporting the region to meet the challenges of climate change and increased demand for water into the future.”
Minister Shing was joined by Federal Senator for Victoria Raff Ciccone, Pakenham MP Emma Vulin and Bass MP Jordan Crugnale among other dignitaries from South East Water and Melbourne Water.
Providing recycled water to one of Australia’s fastest-growing areas and most productive vegetable-growing regions, the project is funded by a $46.6 million contribution from the Federal Government through the National Water Grid Fund in addition to $66.6 million from South East Water.
The new recycled water pipeline will unlock 4,000 megalitres a year of Class A recycled water, increasing water security, opportunity for growth and reliability of water supply for vegetable growers and all irrigated agriculture. in Cardinia Shire.
The project will include a new pump station and 49 km of recycled water pipeline from South East Water’s Pakenham Water Recycling Plant to local farms in Pakenham South, Cora Lynn, Vervale, Catani, Iona, Garfield, Tynong and Bayles regions.
Thanks to the project, land available to irrigated agriculture is expected to increase by approximately 2900 hectares, which in turn will add a further $104 million to the regional economy and combined with construction works create more than 100 jobs.
Providing a climate resilient source of water plays an important role in securing water supplies for the future, which is a key objective outlined in the Victorian Government’s Central and Gippsland Region Sustainable Water Strategy.
South East Water expects the Western Port Recycled Water Scheme, designed in consultation with local landholders, Southern Rural Water and DEECA, to start delivering recycled water in 2028.
