More Funding To Secure Water For Communities In Western Victoria
Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water Lisa Neville is in Western Victoria this week to announce funding for regional water projects and discuss issues with communities as the Andrews Labor Government develops its State Water Plan.
Ms Neville announced $150,000 in funding for the Greening Ballarat Through Local Water Management project, that will also receive $150,000 in funding from the City of Ballarat.
This project will include planting trees in the City and the installation of an innovative system to more efficiently use stormwater run-off to water the trees.
Near Horsham, Ms Neville visited Taylors Lake Pump Station and announced funding to connect farming areas – Quambatook North and Pella – to the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline and Northern Mallee Pipeline.
The Labor Government is committing $243,000 for the Quambatook North extension, a $486,000 project, and $346,000 for the Pella extension, which is a $692,000 project.
Ms Neville also visited an innovative water pumping project at the junction of Mt William Creek and Lake Lonsdale, near Stawell, which is helping the survival of native fish and platypus in the face of the dry conditions.
Dry conditions in Western Victoria have reduced water levels in rivers, wetlands and lakes, including Lake Lonsdale. Apart from 2010 and 2011, the Wimmera region’s catchments have received below average inflows for the past 17 years.
The Labor Government is putting community consultation front and centre in its State Water Plan. Ms Neville will meet with local government, water authorities, catchment management authorities, farmers and communities in the Ballarat, Stawell and Horsham regions.
The Plan aims to secure our water supplies in the face of climate change and population growth, to ensure liveable communities for Victorians, and support jobs and the state’s economy.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water Lisa Neville
“I look forward to talking with locals in western Victoria about their water concerns as we plan for increasing demands on our supplies, such as climate change and population growth.”
“We’re putting community consultation front and centre in the development of our State Water Plan. Every Victorian should be able to have their say, because locals know their area best.”
“We can’t do without this precious resource, and our plan will make sure we don’t have to. It will aim to secure our supplies, to ensure liveable communities while supporting the state’s economy.”