EVALUATION COMPLETE
Providing secure and reliable water supply infrastructure for agricultural uses is a national priority. This proposal responds to the need to secure water availability and quality for critical food production irrigation districts within the Werribee River Catchment.
The proposal aligns with the National Water Grid Investment Framework's strategic objectives of regional water security and resilient water infrastructure that is environmentally sustainable and culturally responsive. Securing water access for cultural purposes will also benefit Traditional Owners’ ability to own and manage water for culture and Country under the principles of self-determination, supporting progress on Closing the Gap.
PROPOSAL DESCRIPTION
The proposal is for upgrades to the Western Treatment Plant, Melton Treatment Plant and associated transfer pipelines within the Werribee water system to support the use of recycled water within the catchment’s irrigation districts.
INVESTMENT RECOMMENDATION
The Australian Government should consider prioritising the proposal for planning investment, supporting the development of a Final Business Case for the use of recycled water.
OPPORTUNITIES AND OUTCOMES
This proposal has the potential to:
- Support productivity – securing reliable, high-quality water supply would support agricultural users in the Werribee and Bacchas Marsh Irrigation Districts.
- Improve environmental outcomes – returning water to the Werribee River would help restore flows to a level that can sustain important ecological processes and habitat, mitigating the impacts of a drier climate.
- Support First Nations outcomes – access to water enables self-determined use and management of water to improve health of Country for the three Traditional Owner groups within the Werribee catchment.
NEXT STEPS
Proponent to develop a Final Business Case (Stage 3 of Infrastructure Australia’s Assessment Framework), including:
- evidencing that a preferred option improves water availability in the Werribee catchment
- describing how the governance and deliverability arrangements are suitable for a systemic, whole-of-system integrated delivery approach
- detailing the planning, regulatory and environmental approval pathways for the preferred option.