Five regional water infrastructure projects in Victoria will receive a $40.6 million investment. The funding will support stronger water security and improve environmental health in several communities.
The support comes from the Water Infrastructure for Sustainable and Efficient Regions (WISER) program. The program is part of the National Water Grid Fund. It backs water infrastructure across regional areas. The funding includes $19.3 million from the Australian Government and $21.3 million from the Victorian Government.
The five projects are:
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Surf Coast Hinterland and Karaaf Protection – $10 million will help provide 400 megalitres of water for use in the Surf Coast Hinterland. The project will also protect the Karaaf coastal saltmarsh from salinity.
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Rutherglen Reuse Scheme – $12 million will support the use of 365 megalitres of recycled water each year. The water will go to farms, parks and new housing near Albury.
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Gellibrand River Restoration and Supply Resilience – $10 million will deliver up to 10 megalitres of groundwater daily. This will help reduce pressure on the Gellibrand River and support the health of the river estuary.
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King Road Recycled Water Wetlands Storage – $4.8 million will be used to build wetlands. The wetlands will store 60 megalitres of water for future recycled use.
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Water Security for Buchan – $3.8 million will help reconfigure infrastructure and deliver 700 kilolitres of community water storage.
The WISER program is supporting 23 projects across five states. These projects aim to make water use more efficient and sustainable. Many projects will also use renewable energy and recycled materials. Some will repair existing systems to reduce the need for new construction.
The WISER program supports long-term water solutions. It helps communities adapt to dry conditions, manage resources better and protect the environment.