Korumburra in South Gippsland has been connected to the Victorian water grid for the first time, with the remaining three towns in state’s south east following suit.
The $43 million Lance Creek Water Connection Project, which includes a $30 million investment from the Victorian Government, is ahead of schedule and once complete will boost water security to communities in South Gippsland, connecting Korumburra, Nyora, Loch and Poowong to Victoria’s water grid and the desalination plant.
Minister for Water, Lisa Neville, said, “The Lance Creek Pipeline will connect South Gippsland to the state’s water grid, delivering the water security these towns need.
“Providing access to Melbourne’s water system will give local businesses confidence in their water supply and the security they need to continue investing in the region – which is good for local jobs.”
The Lance Creek Water Connection Project has injected 45 new construction jobs into the region and an additional seven new direct positions at South Gippsland Water to help manage the project.
The project will have flow-on benefits for local businesses and employers such as Burra Foods, who employ more than 180 local staff and purchase milk from more than 160 milk supply partners.
The project is ahead of schedule, with the new pipeline to Korumburra now complete and water now being delivered to Korumburra – water restrictions were in place in early 2018.
The remaining towns of Loch, Nyora and Poowong will be connected by November 2018. This will mean no water restrictions are expected this summer for these communities that have been doing it tough.
As a result, South Gippsland Water has been working to adjust water sources, supply and treatment processes for Korumburra, Poowong, Loch and Nyora customers.
Member for Eastern Victoria, Harriet Shing, said, “These communities have been doing it tough with water restrictions in the past – that’s why we’re investing in this project.”
As part of the project, communities on the Bass Coast including Inverloch, Wonthaggi and Cape Paterson – which have already been connected to the state’s water grid – have had their connection tested and commissioned.
