The Victorian Government has agreed to fund the state’s share of the East Grampians Water Supply Project, to secure water supply for farmers and businesses in the region.
The pipeline will supply water to agricultural areas surrounding Ararat, and some sections of the Pyrenees and Northern Grampians Shires.
The government will fund $32 million of the $85.2 million East Grampians Water Supply Project, as part of the as part of the 2018/19 budget.
Victorian Minister for Water, Lisa Neville, said “These communities have been doing it tough in recent years due to drought. That’s why we’re delivering the water security these landholders, farmers and towns need and have been calling for.
“This project will give local farmers the water security they desperately need – which supports jobs and means farmers no longer have to cart water during dry periods.”
Farms and businesses will benefit from a more secure water supply, which will reduce operating costs and improve productivity.
The project will also give farms and businesses more certainty about their future, allowing them to make long-term decisions including planting more crops, buying more stock or investing in equipment.
The project will build 1600km of stock and domestic pipeline for up to 530,000 hectares of land in the Grampians region – delivering a secure water supply to properties and farmers who currently have to rely on their own dams and carting water.
The Victorian Government conducted a $1 million feasibility study for the pipeline in 2016.
The project has been backed by the Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water Board and the Project Steering Committee, which includes local council, government agencies and relevant Catchment Management Authorities.
Member for Western Victoria, Jaala Pulford, said “A secure water supply means farmers can plan for the future and provides certainty to farming businesses. It will help reduce operating costs, increase revenue and provides opportunities to grow their farming enterprises.”
