Drought-stricken Victorian communities have welcomed a $27 million package of measures from the State Government, part of which will fund water infrastructure expected to bring relief to farmers.
Premier Daniel Andrews joined Minister for Water Lisa Neville and Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford in Wedderburn to announce the funding, which will cover stage one of the South West Loddon Rural Water Supply Project.
The initial stages of the project will see 40km of trunk pipelines laid and three pumps installed in south-west Loddon. The pipelines will eventually allow farmers to connect to the existing Wimmera Mallee Pipeline, securing a predictable source of water for farmers who are reliant on rainfall.
With rainfall in devastatingly short supply, Loddon Shire Mayor Neil Beattie says farmers have been forced to cart water to keep their livestock alive, some for up to two years.
“To try and water livestock by carting water is nigh on impossible, and people just get sick of it and give up, it’s just too hard,” he explains. “Stage one has been ticked off and can almost start immediately because it’s very relatively simple.”
Beattie says water corporation Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water (GWM Water), which built the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline, is compiling the business case for the Loddon project.
“The key stakeholders are very enthusiastic,” he says. “GMW Water are already working quickly on the business case, Loddon Shire is in full support of the project and in the Federal Government, Warren Truss has indicated his support of the project, so hopefully that will happen quickly.”
Improving the connectivity of Victoria’s water grid would not only assist struggling farmers, but also attract development to the area, Beattie says.
“It’s a win for everyone, and the spinoff is that not only do you drought-proof that area, it provides water to development for chicken farms and piggeries – intensive animal things. We've got big open spaces that are just prime for that sort of development, but we can’t attract that development because we don’t have water.”
Although stage one is only a minor part of the overall project, Beattie says the announcement has brought a much-needed morale boost to the region.
“Farmers are very resilient, but it’s hard work and it’s depressing – people get anxious about their future,” he says. “You provide them with security of water, and that takes a big player out of their worries.”
Former Mayor Gavan Holt says the feasibility study and design could be completed as early as before Christmas.
In a statement, Water Minister Lisa Neville said extending the water grid would play an important role in the long-term security of rural communities.
“The feasibility study for the South West Loddon Rural Water Supply Project is identifying how to best deliver the project and in the meantime pressing ahead with stage one will ease the burden of having to cart water,” Neville said.
Additional projects that will get a piece of the funding include:
$1.1 million to increase water supply to remote towns not connected to a secure water supply
$1 million for the Catchment Management Authority Drought Employment Program which will provide local employment for people directly affected to undertake works on key environmental projects
$150,000 to extend the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline to increase water supply to properties within the southern Wartook Valley which is currently without a secure raw water supply
$1.2 million to undertake critical maintenance of key roads in drought affected regions to improve safety and supports efficient and cost effective movement of freight
$500,000 to establish a Stock Containment Areas Program to protect key soil and land assets and improve livestock management during drought
$400,000 to support ten local governments to deliver targeted social support for drought affected households, businesses and communities through community led events and activities.