Senator The Hon Murray Watt, Minister for the Environment and Water
Lisa Chesters MP, Member for Bendigo
A new $160 million water efficiency infrastructure project will deliver more water for the Murray-Darling Basin in Victoria, by modernising water infrastructure around Bendigo and surrounding townships.
Coliban Water's rural supply network dates back to the 1870s and delivers up to 7,000 megalitres of water each year to approximately 1,300 customers, including families, farms and small businesses. In its current form, the channels are estimated to lose 79 percent of their water due to leaks and seepage.
The Coliban Rural Water Efficiency Project marks a major step forward in delivering a more efficient and sustainable water future for the region for generations to come. It will reduce losses, increase the use of recycled water throughout the network, and increase reliability and productivity for customers and irrigators.
The Albanese Government will deliver $120 million from the Resilient Rivers Water Infrastructure Program, with up to $40 million provided by Coliban Water.
The Coliban Rural Water Efficiency Project will contribute almost 4.6 GL towards the Basin Plan's 450 GL water recovery target, to improve river health and environmental outcomes for the Murray−Darling Basin Plan.
A total of 300 ML of water savings will also be returned to Traditional Owners for self-determined use, recognising their ongoing cultural and spiritual connection to water and Country. Any additional savings will be reserved for urban water supply.
The project was identified through the Planning Our Basin Future Together Prospectus - which was developed with Basin communities by the Allan Labor Government to plan for the region's future with communities as a focus.
Funding under the Resilient Rivers Water Infrastructure Program is now fully allocated to 14 projects.
