Infrastructure Victoria’s draft 30 year structure strategy is now open for comment and submissions are due by the 25th of April.
https://engage.vic.gov.au/victorias30yearinfrastructurestrategy
At 213 pages there is quite a lot to unpack, but the draft seems to be making the right acknowledgement around the need to be going to climate independent sources of water, hopefully meaning more water for our rivers, some of which are facing an existential threat due to a fast drying climate. The draft also cautiously steps into the recycled water for potable use scenario which is positive and welcome.
Some pertinent quotes from the draft:
Climate change is an ongoing threat to Victoria’s ecosystems:
“Less water flowing down Victoria’s rivers will impact their health. Some rivers in southern Victoria already need more water. For example, the Moorabool River near Geelong is one of the driest in Victoria. In summer parts of it can dry out, leading to fish deaths.”
Infrastructure can contribute to a healthier environment:
“The Victorian Government can respond to these challenges. For example, Victoria can use new sources of water to meet future needs. This means more water can stay in Victoria’s rivers.”
Victoria will need more manufactured water:
“Water is needed for Victoria’s communities, agriculture, the environment and Traditional Owners. Climate change means that Victoria will have less water flowing into rivers and dams as the climate becomes warmer and drier. Manufactured water can help address these challenges.”
“Victorian rivers also need more water to support a healthy environment for plants, fish and other animals. Some rivers already dry out in summer, causing plants and animals to die. The government has committed to returning almost 100 billion litres of water to the environment in the Central and Gippsland region. But this is only 26% of the water these rivers need.”
Traditional Owners and the environment also need more water
“Climate change will reduce how much water flows down Victoria’s rivers. Using manufactured water in Victorian cities and towns means that more water can stay in rivers.”
"Healthy environments have many other benefits. Victoria’s forests filter rain before it flows into water catchments. Most of Melbourne’s drinking water comes from forests in protected catchments.646 These parks and forests save Victorian cities and towns about $33 million in water treatment costs each year. In rural areas this increases to $50 million each year."
Recycled drinking water is a further opportunity
"The government should also build a pilot recycled drinking water facility. Pilot facilities provide data on treatment requirements. This can give regulators a better understanding of whether recycled water can meet drinking water regulations. These facilities also improve consumer understanding. For example, water authorities in Sydney, Singapore and Silicon Valley have provided tours of recycled drinking water facilities. Recycled drinking water would be a big change. People are more likely to support it if they know their community needs more drinking water.705 Consumer support for recycled drinking water also grows when people have more information."
Recommendation 25: Advance integrated water management and use more recycled water
Work with partners to fund and deliver integrated water management projects. Determine the costs and benefits of introducing recycled drinking water in Melbourne and Geelong and build a pilot recycled drinking water facility. Deliver a community education campaign on the need for more water sources.
The Concerned Waterways Alliance will naturally be supporting much of this framing in our response and will be inviting other waterway groups to make similar submissions. The Alliance does note the lack of attention to the many aging waste water treatment plants discharging ever increasing volumes into climate depleted waterways, and will be including our perspective in our submission.