A $65 million boost to water security has been announced as a part of the Victorian Budget 2018/19.
The East Grampians Water Supply Project will receive the biggest portion of the funding, with $32 million to be invested in the project.
The project will build 1600 kilometres of stock and domestic pipelines, for up to 530,000 hectares of unserviced land in the Grampians region.
A further $10.2 million will fund Victoria’s share of a $29 million project to build a secure water supply for the Mitiamo district, in northern Victoria.
The project will expand the district’s water grid through the construction of a reticulated water supply for the 75,000 hectares surrounding the town.
The Andrew Labor Government will also provide $8 million in funding for Victoria’s contribution to the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, $3 million to improve the safety of small dams and flood retaining basins, and $400,000 to assist with upgrading or replacing the Pakenham Sewerage Treatment Plant.
Victorian Minister for Water Lisa Neville said the $65 million investment will give farmers and the agriculture community more certainty.
“Many farmers will now have greater access to a reliable, sustainable water supply, with further investment in regional communities,” Ms Neville said.