Recycled water boost for Melbourne’s southeast

Photo Caption: The Hon Lisa Neville MP - Minister for Water; Danny Selzer - Director Dan's Plants; Charlie Littlefair - Acting Managing Director, South East Water

Kingston, Monash and Bayside communities will soon benefit from a new pipeline delivering recycled water to local businesses, golf courses, sports ovals and parks.

Minister for Water Lisa Neville today announced $24.8 million from the Victorian Budget 2022/23 for the Dingley Recycled Water Scheme.

The new 42 km pipeline will deliver recycled water to 46 sites, including parks, world-class golf courses, sports ovals, laundromats, market gardens and nurseries while preserving our drinking water supply.

The project will unlock 1,800 ML of recycled water each year, enough to fill Albert Park Lake more than two and a half times.

The construction stage will generate around 38 full-time jobs. Once complete the project will support international golf tourism which generates 240 jobs and provide a climate resilient source of water for connected local businesses in the event of drought. The project is set generate $92 million for the local economy.

Investing in recycled water infrastructure supports Victoria’s response to climate change impacts. It allows parkland and golf courses to remain green during dry spells, open up new horticulture business opportunities and tourism, and provide the community with high quality public open space all year round.

The new pipeline will help diversify Victoria’s water sources and meet future water demands of our growing population without impacting on our drinking water supply.

This funding is part of $56.6 million investment announced in the Victorian Budget 2022/23 to support the delivery of the Central and Gippsland Regional Sustainable Water Strategy. The strategy sets out our long-term plan to improve water security, liveability, and waterway health for the next 50 years.

The Dingley Recycled Water Scheme will cost a total of $72 million, part funded by South East Water. Recycled water is expected to become available by 2025.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Water Lisa Neville

“Using more recycled water responds to the needs of our growing population sustainably by delivering green public spaces all year round without impacting our drinking water supply.”

“Those who remember the Millenium drought in the 2000s will know the impact on businesses, parks and sporting fields and communities – this initiative will provide a rainfall independent water supply.”

Quotes attributable to Acting Managing Director South East Water, Charlie Littlefair

“Recycled water projects help build resilience into our water systems, strengthening our entire water supply network and helping more of our customers and the community to harness the benefits of a rain independent source of high-quality water.”

For the full Media Release please view here: Recycled Water Boost For Melbourne’s South East | Premier of Victoria