The Allan Labor Government is boosting water security in Daylesford and nearby towns, with a new pipeline delivering up to 300 million litres of additional water per year nearing completion.
Minister for Water Gayle Tierney today announced the start of the third and final stage of the $25 million upgrade to the water supply system for Daylesford, Hepburn, and Hepburn Springs.
Once completed in 2026, the pipeline will connect Daylesford to the Goldfields Superpipe, able to boost the Wombat and Bullarto reservoirs with up to 300 million litres of additional water per year. This secures more water during times of drought and low rainfall, reducing the risk of water restrictions.
Daylesford, Hepburn, and Hepburn Springs are currently on stage 2 water restrictions, as the region's driest summer and autumn in more 30 years saw storage levels drop to around 30 per cent.
Completion of Stage 1 and 2 of the project have already seen the construction of 17 kilometres of pipeline connecting Daylesford to the Goldfields Superpipe, with works now starting on upgrades to the treatment plant to boost its capacity, ensuring more high-quality water is available for households and businesses.
The $25 million upgrade is Central Highlands Water's largest investment into Daylesford's water supply - marking a significant milestone in the region's water security.
While projects like this direct more water to the region, Victoria's climate is drying with declining rainfall, and population growth all put increasing pressure on Victoria's drinking water supplies.
The Allan Labor Government is taking action to secure more water for our future and ensure we have reliable, safe, and affordable drinking water in the decades ahead.
All Victorians can do their bit to save water, including making simple changes inside and outside our homes such as taking shorter showers, fixing leaks, washing with full loads, and not watering gardens in the heat of the day.
As stated by Minister for Water Gayle Tierney
"This new pipeline will support the long-term liveability, growth, and economic prosperity of the Daylesford region and ensure that residents will have a water supply that's more resilient to dry conditions."
"By investing in climate resilient infrastructure today, we're ensuring that communities like Daylesford have a reliable and sustainable water supply into the future."
As stated by Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas
"This is a critical investment into our community's health and wellbeing that will help us avoid future water restrictions and secure our water supply for generations to come."
As stated by Central Highlands Water Managing Director Jeff Haydon
"The completion of this three-stage project represents a lasting investment in water infrastructure, delivering long-term benefits in water security, reliability, and quality for the Daylesford and Hepburn communities."
"This essential infrastructure will enable access to 300 million litres of supplementary water per year, complementing Daylesford's surface water sources and strengthening the region's overall water resilience."
