Western Water Area

Our Water Our Future Contents

Minister’s Foreword 1

Our Water Our Future 2

CHAPTER ONE: A SECURE WATER FUTURE FOR THE WESTERN WATER AREA 3 The Western Water Area 3 Urban water management 4 Challenges 4 Water resources 6

CHAPTER TWO: PROTECTING RIVERS AND AQUIFERS 9 The Environmental Water Reserve 9 River health strategies 10 The Werribee Catchment 10 The Maribyrnong Catchment 11 Regional actions 12 The Lancefield and Merrimu groundwater aquifers 13 Catchment management arrangements 13

CHAPTER THREE: SMARTER WATER USE 15 Western Water - balancing available resources 15 Reducing water consumption through demand management 16 Recycling and alternative supplies 21 Securing Western Water’s drinking water supplies 25 Providing safe and reliable drinking water and sewerage services 26

CHAPTER FOUR: MOVING FORWARD 28 Summary of Western Water Area Actions 29 Actions to Secure Sustainable Water Supplies in the Western Water Area Minister’s Foreword

Water is essential to our way of life. It satisfies basic - actions to restore the health of the Werribee and human needs, supports our agriculture and businesses Maribyrnong rivers by recognising environmental water and is the lifeblood of our rivers and creeks. rights and undertaking river restoration works. In June 2004, the State Government released its Our Water The Regional Action Plan focuses primarily on urban water Our Future action plan to secure Victoria’s water future over management issues but securing water for all uses is the next 50 years. This landmark and comprehensive plan dependent on how this precious resource is managed. contains 110 initiatives to sustain and manage water at every A number of agencies and organisations are working stage of its cycle, from source to consumption, conservation together to achieve secure water supplies in the Western and recycling. Water Area including: Western Water, Melbourne Water, Southern Rural Water, Port Phillip and Westernport As we put these initiatives to work, Our Water Our Future Catchment Management Authority and local councils. is ensuring that Victoria can continue to have healthy water resources to support growing communities and The communities of the Western Water Area have already a thriving economy. demonstrated a strong commitment to saving water and should be proud of these achievements. This Regional Like most of Victoria, the areas of Sunbury, Bacchus Marsh, Action Plan presents a comprehensive set of directions Melton, the Macedon Ranges and their surrounds face key which will help every member of the community – challenges in securing future water supplies. Population from individuals to business - continue to play their part growth, stressed rivers, nine years of below average rainfall in securing our water future, together. and the uncertainties of climate change, are just some of the issues facing the region. The Western Water Area Regional Action Plan highlights Our Water Our Future initiatives of specific relevance to this area including: - smarter water use programs in urban areas such as smarter water pricing, education and awareness programs, Permanent Water Saving Rules and incentive programs - actions to help secure water for agriculture, particularly John Thwaites through realising the opportunities of recycled water Minister for Water

“ The communities of the Western Water Area have already demonstrated a strong commitment to saving water and should be proud of these achievements.”

John Thwaites Minister for Water

Regional Action Plan 1 Our Water Our Future

“ Water supports the State’s On 23 June 2004, the Victorian Government released its Our Water Our Future White Paper, a ground-breaking economy. Our agricultural, strategy aimed at creating smarter ways to use and manage Victoria’s water resources over the next 50 years. manufacturing, tourism and Our Water Our Future recognised that eight years of below average rainfall, a growing population, climate change and mining industries, all depend degrading river systems meant Victoria must better manage its water resources to secure its water future. on secure water resources.” It examined smarter ways to do more with less water and provided frameworks for: − a contemporary and comprehensive water Our Water Our Future, June 2004 allocation system − improved health of rivers and aquifers (groundwater resources) − smarter use of irrigation water − smarter water use in cities and towns − pricing for sustainability − an innovative and accountable water sector. The Western Water Area Regional Action Plan furthers the objectives and aims of Our Water Our Future by outlining how Government, water authorities and catchment management authorities are working together to address water issues in the Sunbury, Bacchus Marsh, Melton and Macedon Ranges areas. Chapter One

A Secure Water Future 1 For The Western Water Area The Western Water Area The waterways of the Western Water Area are important community assets. They provide: The Western Water Area extends from Lancefield in the north − water supplies for towns and for agriculture to Melton and Rockbank in the south, and from Myrniong in − habitat for native plants and animals including the west to Bulla in the east. The major population centres in river red gum, platypus and the growling grass frog the area are Sunbury, Melton, Bacchus Marsh and Gisborne. − a focal point for recreational activities including fishing, This is one of the fastest growing areas in Victoria. boating, bushwalking and picnicking. Its proximity to Melbourne and semi-rural character makes it The Maribyrnong Catchment has a rich indigenous culture an attractive place to live. A range of industries operate within and contains some of Melbourne’s most significant the area including agriculture, viticulture, dry land farming and indigenous sites. In the Werribee Catchment, the Lerderderg plantations and tourism. River has been recognised as one of only two Victorian Heritage Rivers, due to its significant geological and conservation attributes. The Lancefield and Merrimu Groundwater Management Areas are also important sources of water for urban and rural supplies in the Western Water Area.

Figure 1.1 Map of the Western Water Area catchments

This document incorporates data which is © Commonwealth of Australia (Geoscience Australia) 2002. The data has been used in this document with the permission of Geoscience Australia. Geoscience Australia has not evaluated the data as incorporated within this document, and therefore gives no warranty regarding its accuracy, completeness, currency or suitability for any particular purpose. Regional Action Plan 3 Urban water management Low rainfall This Regional Action Plan focuses on urban water The Western Water Area is currently in its ninth year of below management issues. It presents clear actions to protect average rainfall. In recent years, water levels in Merrimu and the health of the area’s rivers, waterways and aquifers and Rosslynne reservoirs have fallen to their lowest levels ever. ensure safe and reliable water supplies for the area’s growing The towns of Romsey, Lancefield and Woodend have also population. The actions stem primarily from the Government’s recorded their lowest water storage levels. Our Water Our Future action plan and Victorian River Health Urban water restrictions were introduced in most towns Strategy. The best scientific information and most innovative across the area from October 1998 to November 2000 practices support all of the work being undertaken. and all towns were again on restrictions by May 2003. This Plan will increase community awareness of the area’s Following heavy rain in February 2005, restrictions have been vital water resources, their management and their use, lifted in all towns and replaced with Permanent Water Saving allowing everyone to make wiser choices about the way Rules. However, the overall levels in the Western Water they use and conserve water. Area’s storages remain low. In the Bacchus Marsh Irrigation District, over recent years, Challenges irrigators have experienced lower than normal seasonal water allocations from the Werribee catchment. The initial The Western Water Area faces a variety of challenges low 2004/2005 allocations increased as a result of the heavy which must be carefully managed to ensure the health of rainfall in February 2005, however, these were still well short our waterways and to support prosperous communities. of the allocations they would usually receive. These challenges include low rainfall, the uncertainty of Similarly, irrigators in the Maribyrnong Catchment have climate change, stressed rivers and rapid population growth. experienced prolonged periods of diversion bans and have cut production in response to lower than average Uncertainty of climate change seasonal allocations. Climate change is predicted to create more hot days, While long periods of below or above average rainfall are more dry days and more intense storms across Victoria. characteristic of Australian climate variability, there is clear Droughts are likely to increase in frequency and duration. need to ensure that our water supply system can provide Reduced rainfall and increased evaporation rates could acceptable volumes during low rainfall periods, while looking also mean less water for dams and catchments. There is after the environment. considerable uncertainty about how much water will be available in the future, but in planning for the future all possible climate change impacts must be considered. The Government’s Our Water Our Future action plan increases Victoria’s capability to actively plan for this uncertain future.

Recreation on the Werribee River

4 Regional Action Plan Ensuring healthy waterways Increased demand for water – population growth The rivers and creeks of the Werribee and Maribyrnong The population of the Western Water Area is increasing catchments are important community assets. However, rapidly. For example, Melton has had one of Victoria’s highest their condition is highly variable. The upper and headwater population growth rates in recent years. Strong population reaches tend to be in good condition, but many tributaries growth is expected to continue over the next 30 years, with and the middle and lower reaches of the rivers are stressed. at least 100,000 more people predicted to live in the Western On average, 65 per cent of the Werribee River’s flow and Water Area by 2031. This growth will place additional 83 per cent of Maribyrnong River’s flow remains in these rivers demands on the water supply system. as environmental flow. But in dry years, the water available to the environment is only about 30 per cent of what it would have received under natural conditions. This has implications for water quality, fish breeding and survival and reduces recreational opportunities for the community.

Figure 1.2 Waterway health in the Western Water Area

This map is based on 2004 data, which will be formally released in late 2005. Variations may occur in the final version. Regional Action Plan 5 Water resources In the Werribee Catchment, Southern Rural Water supplies irrigators in the Bacchus Marsh Irrigation District with water Water is supplied throughout the Area by three water from the Pykes Creek Reservoir. Southern Rural Water also authorities – Western Water, Southern Rural Water supplies the Werribee Irrigation District irrigators with water and Melbourne Water. from Pykes Creek Reservoir, together with Melton and Western Water is responsible for supply to urban areas, Merrimu reservoirs. While the Werribee Irrigation District is such as Sunbury, Melton, Bacchus Marsh and the located outside the Western Water region it is closely related Macedon Ranges. through its water resources. Southern Rural Water is responsible for the operation of the In the Maribyrnong Catchment, licensed diverter customers Rosslynne, Pykes Creek, Merrimu and Melton reservoirs, and are supplied with water from Rosslynne Reservoir by the management of groundwater aquifers (Merrimu Southern Rural Water and Melbourne Water. Southern Rural and Lancefield) and private diversions. Water has a small number of licensed diverter customers Rosslynne Reservoir primarily supplies towns in the along Jacksons Creek, while Melbourne Water supplies a Maribyrnong Catchment and Merrimu Reservoir supplies number of licensed diverter customers who irrigate market towns in the Werribee Catchment. The prolonged period gardens on the Keilor Flats. of low rainfall has demonstrated the high variability of supply The use of recycled water for irrigation has also increased from the two main storages, bringing forward plans for in recent years. connections between the Yarra-Thomson and Sunbury and Melton supply systems, which are now operational.

Table 1.1 Western Water supplies Town Reservoir Waterway

Melton, Rockbank Merrimu Reservoir Lerderderg River, Goodman Creek, Toolern Vale, Bacchus Marsh Pyrites Creek Djerriwarrh Reservoir Djerriwarrh Creek Yarra-Thomson Supply System Melbourne’s water supply catchments (Yuroke to Sydenham pipeline) Gisborne Rosslynne Reservoir Jacksons Creek Barringo Weir, Pierce Reservoir Barringo Creek Mount Macedon Rosslynne Reservoir Jacksons Creek Orde Hill Reservoir, Willimigongon Reservoir Willimigongon Creek Andersons Reservoir, McDonalds Reservoir, Turitable Creek Gillespies Weir Macedon Rosslynne Reservoir Jacksons Creek Frank Mann Reservoir, Kitty English Reservoir, Riddells Creek Bawdon Reservoir Riddells Creek Rosslynne Reservoir Jacksons Creek Main Creek Weir, Wright Reservoir, Main Creek Forster Reservoir Sunbury, Bulla, Diggers Rest Rosslynne Reservoir Jacksons Creek Yarra-Thomson Supply System Melbourne’s water supply catchments Woodend Campaspe Reservoir Campaspe River Reservoir B & C Falls Creek, Smokers Creek Romsey Bolinda Creek Weir, Kerrie Reservoir Upper Bolinda Creek Lancefield Bores No. 2 & 3 Lancefield Groundwater Management Area Lancefield Reservoir Deep Creek Monument Creek Weir Monument Creek Myrniong Pykes Creek Reservoir Werribee River (Pykes Creek)

6 Regional Action Plan Surface water allocations Werribee River was around 44,000 megalitres, approximately Water from the Werribee and Maribyrnong catchments is one-third of the long-term average of 137,000 megalitres. shared between consumptive users and the environment. In 2003/04, the environment received only 11,000 megalitres A summary of the surface water resource allocations in the (25 per cent) of this total inflow, compared with the average Werribee and Maribyrnong catchments is provided below. of approximately 76 per cent. While there appears to be a comparatively high level of water The Maribyrnong River received less than one-third of the for the environment on average, this is not the case during long-term average river flow in 2003/04, with only 37,000 droughts and summer months. A river needs enough water megalitres. The environment received around 16,000 to sustain all of its natural functions at different times megalitres (45 per cent). of the year. In addition to the water sourced from the Werribee and The numbers in the Table are indicative only and the total Maribyrnong catchments, the Yarra-Thomson supply system river flow is represented as a long-term average. During low provides Sunbury and Melton with an extra 11,250 rainfall years the available water is much lower for all users. megalitres per year. For example, in 2003/04, the total river flow in the

Table 1.2 Surface water allocations in the Werribee and Maribyrnong catchments Catchment Entitlement ML/Year1

Werribee Average Environmental Water Reserve2 87,120 Bulk entitlements - Western Water 9,990 Central Highlands Water 590 Southern Rural Water 27,040 Unassigned share of Lake Merrimu3 2,000 Unregulated licences 910 Private rights4 (farm dams) 9,350 Total consumptive entitlement 49,880 Total average river flow 137,000

Maribyrnong Average Environmental Water Reserve2 104,685 Bulk entitlements - Western Water 8,860 Southern Rural Water 680 Melbourne Water 1,395 Unregulated licences 2,000 Private rights4 (farm dams) 7,780 Total consumptive entitlement 20,715 Total average river flow 125,400

1. The numbers in this Table are indicative only. The total river flow is a long-term average flow and may vary considerably from year to year. The bulk entitlement and licence allocations are expressed as an upper limit. Average use under these entitlements would be lower. 2. The Environmental Water Reserve is made up of a quantified amount of water but also flow patterns and regimes that maintain environmental values. In this Table, the Environmental Water Reserve is expressed as an average annual volume that applies at the end of the catchment. It has been calculated as the difference between the total river flow and the total consumptive entitlement. The environmental health of individual reaches of the river and its tributaries will depend on a whole range of factors, including flow. 3. Further information is contained in Chapter Three. 4. This number is an estimate of water taken by farm dams including dams used for commercial or irrigation purposes which are currently being licensed by water authorities. At this stage, no estimate is available to record water taken directly from waterways under private rights.

Regional Action Plan 7 “ Not only is water necessary for drinking, it is essential to the health of our natural environment, which supports everything we do.”

Our Water Our Future, June 2004 Chapter Two

Protecting Rivers 2 and Aquifers The rivers and aquifers of the Western Water Area The Environmental Water Reserve are important community assets. They provide water for households, agriculture and industry, and have environmental, recreational and cultural significance. Policy When rivers deteriorate, so does the quality and supply of water. The Government will establish Environmental Water Reserves to set aside a share of water in rivers Policy and aquifers across the State for the environment.

The Government will significantly improve the health Our Water Our Future, June 2004 of Victoria’s rivers, floodplains and estuaries by 2010 to ensure that they are capable of delivering a wide In Our Water Our Future, the Government announced range of services to the community. the new initiative of establishing Environmental Water Reserves in all Victorian river and groundwater systems. Our Water Our Future, June 2004 The Environmental Water Reserve is a legally recognised share of water set aside to maintain the environmental The State Government will improve the health of values of a water system. Victoria’s rivers, floodplains and estuaries by: Our Water Our Future details processes for establishing - establishing and enhancing Environmental initial Environmental Water Reserves. Water Reserves in waterways For the fully allocated Werribee and Maribyrnong - implementing the Victorian River Health Strategy catchments, initial Environmental Water Reserves will be and regional river health strategies set by capping existing extractions, while recognising the - protecting and restoring rivers and aquifers rights of existing entitlement holders. This means that for - clarifying catchment management arrangements. the time being, no new water entitlements will be issued. When an Environmental Water Reserve is established it will be assessed and enhanced if necessary. Policies and directions for enhancing Environmental Water Reserves in stressed rivers and aquifers are set out in Our Water Our Future. Managing Environmental Water Reserves is just one component of an integrated program of river restoration. Other components include improving water quality, habitat restoration and stream frontage management.

Regional Action Plan 9 River health strategies A range of actions are currently underway to establish and enhance the Environmental Water Reserve, to implement the Port Phillip and Westernport Regional River Health Strategy Policy and to protect and restore the rivers and waterways of the Werribee and Maribyrnong catchments.

The Government will improve the health of Victoria’s rivers, floodplains and estuaries through The Werribee Catchment the integrated policy framework provided by the Our Water Our Future recognises that the current Victorian River Health Strategy. environmental flow provisions in the Werribee River, including one megalitre per day at the Lower Werribee Weir, Our Water Our Future, June 2004 are not enough to sustain a healthy river. Enhancing the Environmental Water Reserve is a high priority. The Victorian River Health Strategy provides a statewide During droughts, the river remains at low flow levels for policy framework for managing the health of the State’s several years, harming gums, platypus and fish as well as rivers, floodplains and estuaries. Within this statewide reducing the river’s social values for the community. context, community management objectives and targets are identified in regional river health strategies. These strategies Action 2.2 are focussed on region-specific aims to achieve healthy rivers, streams and floodplains to meet the environmental, In 2005, Melbourne Water, as waterway manager, economic, recreational and cultural needs of current and will spend $300,000 to restore the health of the future generations. Werribee River, funding environmental flow studies and targeted river restoration works. Action 2.1 The environmental flow study for the Werribee River and a related investigation of the role of flow in In 2005, Melbourne Water, as waterway manager, maintaining the health of the Werribee Estuary will: will begin to implement the five-year Port Phillip and - better inform water management decisions Westernport Regional River Health Strategy. for the system - identify priorities and actions to improve environmental flows. In Autumn 2005, Melbourne Water commenced willow removal works to restore habitat in a five kilometre priority reach of the Lower Werribee River.

In 2003, the Government undertook a study into the environmental water needs of the Lerderderg River, a major tributary of the Werribee River. The Government and Southern Rural Water subsequently provided over $500,000 in capital funding to modify the Lerderderg River weir. Southern Rural Water has undertaken these works and the modifications will maximise the effectiveness of the Environmental Water Reserve provided to the Lerderderg River.

10 Regional Action Plan Werribee Irrigation District Recycled The Maribyrnong Catchment Water Scheme Enhancing the health of the Maribyrnong River is a high Class A recycled water from the Western Treatment Plant priority. The diverse tributaries within the catchment, can be provided as an alternative supply to water sourced including Jacksons Creek and the Upper Maribyrnong River from the Werribee River. This presents potential to recover (Deep Creek), require different management approaches. water to supplement environmental flows. In January 2005, A first step is to better understand the environmental flow the Government completed a 55 megalitre per day Class A requirements of the tributaries. recycled water scheme for the Werribee Irrigation District, which will eventually deliver up to 8,500 megalitres of Action 2.4 recycled water each year to about 130 agricultural producers. This will also recover up to 2,000 megalitres per year Under Our Water Our Future, a $110,000 previously used as ‘sales’ water, which will then be directed environmental flow study for the Maribyrnong to the environment to improve flows in the Werribee River. River, including the estuary, will be completed by Until salinity levels decrease, this ‘sales’ water is being used December 2005. to dilute the recycled water.

Action 2.3 During 2004/2005 the Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority, in association with the Department of Sustainability and Environment, investigated The Government will enhance the Environmental how the environmental health of Jacksons Creek could be Water Reserve of the Werribee River by improved and sought community views on expectations and implementing the Werribee Irrigation District values for the creek. The outcomes of this survey will assist Recycled Water Scheme. development of the environmental flow study. The Salt Reduction Strategy for the Western In some areas of the Maribyrnong Catchment, flow is Treatment Plant, launched by the Government in managed or regulated by structures including dams and May 2005, aims to reduce salt levels in recycled weirs. Other areas are free flowing or unregulated. water for Werribee recycling schemes by 40 per cent by 2009. Where the Environmental Water Reserve is inadequate in regulated reaches of the Maribyrnong Catchment, such as Jacksons Creek, opportunities for improvements will be explored as part of the Central Region Sustainable Water Strategy. The Strategy will identify opportunities for improvement and manage threats to water supplies for our towns, industries and environment. More information on the Strategy is contained in Chapter Four. To improve the Environmental Water Reserve in the unregulated reaches of the Maribyrnong Catchment, including the Upper Maribyrnong River, a Stream Flow Management Plan will be developed to define flows to improve environmental values and specify water sharing arrangements. Our Water Our Future identified the Upper Maribyrnong River as one of the 21 priority catchments for the development of a Stream Flow Management Plan.

Using recycled water to grow lettuces

Regional Action Plan 11 Regional actions Action 2.5 Improving water quality Melbourne Water and Southern Rural Water will The Victorian River Health Strategy outlines a management use the outcomes of the environmental flow study framework for addressing water quality across the State. to develop a Stream Flow Management Plan to Regional River Health Strategies and water quality specify water sharing arrangements for the Upper sub-strategies, including the Melbourne Water Regional Maribyrnong River (Deep Creek). Water Quality Improvement Plan, outline specific actions for addressing key water quality issues. Complementing the Environmental Water Reserve, the Significant water quality benefits for waterways have already Government has invested in habitat restoration projects in occurred as a result of Western Water’s extensive recycling the Maribyrnong River and its tributaries over the past five program. Western Water now recycles 82.7 per cent years. For example, in 2003/04, approximately 16 kilometres (or 5,990 megalitres) of effluent from its Wastewater of fencing and revegetation was undertaken. This included Purification Plants. This has led to improved water quality fencing for indigenous vegetation protection and deep pool within the Maribyrnong catchment due to less treated water habitat restoration. flowing into the rivers. It has significantly reduced the stress Over the last five years, approximately 300 kilometres of river caused by constant water flows in waterways where flow length has also been opened for native fish movement and naturally varies. These recycling programs have also led to a migration, with about $300,000 spent building fish ladders reduction in nutrient discharges to Port Phillip Bay. at eight locations. Action 2.7 Action 2.6 In 2006, Melbourne Water, as waterway manager, In 2005/06, Melbourne Water will continue habitat will develop a Regional Water Quality Improvement restoration through activities such as reinstatement Plan, in consultation with a consortium of regional of indigenous vegetation and protecting deep pool land and water agencies. This will allow risks to habitats in the Upper Maribyrnong River (Deep Creek). water quality to be determined and will set regional water quality priorities and targets for the Western Water Area.

Maribyrnong River

12 Regional Action Plan Stream Frontage Management Program In groundwater systems, Environmental Water Reserves will be established by recognising existing entitlements and Since 2003, a Stream Frontage Management Program has setting limits on extraction (Permissible Annual Volumes). been operating in the Werribee River and Upper Maribyrnong Currently, the Lancefield and Merrimu Groundwater River catchments to help landowners protect, improve Management Areas are fully allocated and no new licences and manage private freehold and leased stream frontages. are being issued. Continued monitoring and appropriate In 2003/04, this program provided funding to landholders management will help to ensure there is no further stress to install riparian fencing and revegetate and control weeds to these two Groundwater Management Areas. along the Werribee River, Toolern Creek and Deep Creek. The program is funded by Melbourne Water and the 2.9 Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Action Authority and supported by seven local councils, the Department of Primary Industries, the Department of As part of the $5 million Our Water Our Future Sustainability and Environment and Grow West (a large-scale Metering Program, the Lancefield and Merrimu landscape change project established by landholders and Groundwater Management Areas will be metered by other stakeholders). Southern Rural Water by 2006.

Action 2.8 Catchment management Waterway manager, Melbourne Water, will continue arrangements the Stream Frontage Management Program. During As the caretaker of river health in the Western Water 2005/06 they will spend approximately $100,000, Area, Melbourne Water will be responsible for managing to improve the condition of the region’s rivers and Environmental Water Reserves for the Maribyrnong and creeks by engaging stream frontage holders in the Werribee catchments. tasks of protecting and enhancing streamside The Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management vegetation and minimising erosion and stock access. Authority will retain land management responsibilities and in developing and implementing the Regional Catchment Further information on the Stream Frontage Management Strategy, will also coordinate education and awareness Program is available by calling Melbourne Water on 131 722 of good water management and conservation practices or by visiting their website www.melbournewater.com.au for landholders.

The Lancefield and Merrimu Policy groundwater aquifers To enable a whole-of-catchment approach to river Policy health, Melbourne Water is to be designated as the authority responsible for waterway, regional The Government will establish the Environmental drainage and floodplain management throughout Water Reserves for groundwater aquifers which take the whole of the Port Phillip and Westernport into account the need to protect the integrity catchment. The Port Phillip and Westernport of the aquifer and interaction between surface water Catchment Management Authority will remain and groundwater, and the needs of groundwater responsible for developing and coordinating the dependent ecosystems where appropriate. implementation of the Regional Catchment Strategy.

Our Water Our Future, June 2004 Our Water Our Future, June 2004

Regional Action Plan 13 “ Water supports our everyday lives – at home, at work or play, water is fundamental to our way of life.”

Our Water Our Future, June 2004 Chapter Three 3 Smarter Water Use As the Western Water Area is one of the fastest growing in Figure 3.1 Demand-supply balance for Western Water’s Victoria, strategic action is needed to ensure it has enough drinking water supplies water to meet future demand. Our Water Our Future sets out directions to ensure: - all water available through the local water supply system is used efficiently and effectively - recycled water and other alternative water sources are used where they are fit-for-purpose and where there is a net benefit to the community - new water sources are available to improve the security of supply - safe and reliable water and sewerage services.

Policy Action 3.1

The Western Water Area will have safe, secure By August 2006 Western Water will prepare a Water and reliable water supplies to provide for growing Supply-Demand Strategy that identifies the best mix populations into the future, while maintaining healthy of demand measures and supply options to ensure rivers and streams. reliable water supplies for customers into the future.

Our Water Our Future, June 2004 Residents of the Western Water Area have already responded well to the challenges of low rainfall. In 2003/04, on average, each person reduced their water consumption Western Water - balancing available by 34 per cent compared to the 1990’s average. This level resources of water saving is greater than expected under the water restrictions introduced by Western Water in 1998, which Western Water currently is entitled to 30,000 megalitres indicates that the local community has embraced better per year from its water sources including rivers, creeks and water-use behaviour. This behaviour must continue to groundwater aquifers. However, this amount of water is not help ensure that future water demand does not exceed available each year. available supply. The flow in waterways can vary considerably. The last nine Figure 3.2 Western Water’s average water use years of below average rainfall has resulted in lower than per person per day average annual river flows. For example, in 2003/04, the Maribyrnong and Werribee rivers had only 29 and 32 per cent respectively, of their average annual river flow. This in turn has depleted storage levels in the reservoirs supplied by these rivers, resulting in water restrictions. The Western Water Area community is currently using approximately 12,000 megalitres of water annually. To ensure the Area continues to have enough water to meet its future needs, action must now be taken to address the challenges of low rainfall, uncertainty of climate change, waterway health and increased demand for water resulting from significant population growth. If decisive action is not taken and Western Water Area customers continue to use water at the same rate they did in the 1990’s, demand for water will reach, and possibly exceed, the current limit of supply by 2021. With climate change, that limit could be reached even sooner.

Regional Action Plan 15 Reducing water consumption through While the rising block tariffs only apply to residential demand management customers, on 1 November 2004, Western Water also increased the variable usage charge for its non-residential To reduce demand for water, Western Water’s Board has customers from 77c per kilolitre to 83c per kilolitre. adopted a water savings target of a 15 per cent per capita Western Water’s pricing strategy has been developed in reduction in consumption by 2010 (relative to the 1990s consultation with its customer advisory groups. average). As the Western Water supply system is now closely aligned with the Yarra-Thomson system, it is Figure 3.4 Rising block tariffs for Western Water (Residential) appropriate to set similar water saving targets to those operating in the Melbourne metropolitan area. This will equate to a total reduction in water demand of 2,000 megalitres in the Western Water Area by 2010 and will be achieved through a range of measures.

Figure 3.3 Western Water’s demand management program (Approximate reductions in consumption expected by 2010)

Assisting customers experiencing hardship Western Water recognises that introducing rising block tariffs may cause financial difficulty for some customers, particularly those with large households of five or more people. To assist these customers Western Water has developed several measures to minimise impacts of rising block tariffs. Packages to assist customers finding it difficult to reduce consumption include: - water conservation information packs with information on the Victorian Government’s Water Smart Gardens and Homes Rebates Scheme - free water conservation audits and tap washers - water efficient showerheads and flow control valves. A new smarter water pricing system Our Water Our Future requires regional urban water Increased concessions authorities to design pricing structures that provide incentives for customers to reduce water use. Western Water The Government has also increased the maximum water introduced a smarter pricing system on 1 November 2004. concession to $146 per year, from the previous level of $138 per year. The maximum concession, which now applies to all The rising block tariff system, where a higher price per eligible Pension and Health Care Cardholders, will increase kilolitre of water applies at higher levels of consumption, is to $150 per year from 1 July 2005 and will then follow the widely regarded as a fair and effective way to price water to Consumer Price Index. promote conservation. It also recognises the need to provide water for essential domestic use at an affordable price.

16 Regional Action Plan Permanent Water Saving Rules In specific cases, exemptions from Permanent Water Saving Permanent Water Saving Rules, introduced to the Western Rules are available to some customers. For information Water Area on 1 March 2005, are designed to provide a on these exemptions please contact Western Water common sense approach to long-term water saving and will on: 1300 650 425 become part of everyday life. Their introduction will help the entire community eliminate inappropriate water use. Action 3.2 The local community was consulted during the development of the Permanent Water Saving Rules that apply in the Permanent Water Saving Rules, introduced to the Western Water Area. These are the same as those Western Water Area from 1 March 2005, will achieve developed for Melbourne. long-term water savings.

Table 3.1 Permanent Water Saving Rules for Western Water Purpose Restriction/Prohibition

Residential or commercial (a) An automatic watering system: gardens including lawns (i) must not be used, except between 10 pm and 10 am on any day of the week; and (ii) which is installed on or after 1 September 2005, must not be used, unless it is fitted with either a rain sensor, soil moisture sensor, evapotranspiration device, weather station or equivalent device, as part of the control system. (b) A manual watering system must not be used, except between 8 pm and 10 am on any day of the week. (c) No restriction applies to using a hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, a watering can or a bucket, at any time. Public gardens (a) An automatic watering system: and sports grounds/ (i) must not be used, except between 10 pm and 10 am on any day of the week; and recreational areas, (ii) which is installed on or after 1 September 2005, must not be used, unless it is fitted with either a rain sensor, soil including lawns moisture sensor, evapotranspiration device, weather station or equivalent device, as part of the control system. (b) On or after 1 September 2006, no automatic watering system may be used unless it is fitted with a device referred to in paragraph (a)(ii). (c) A manual watering system must not be used, except between 8 pm and 10 am on any day of the week. (d) No restriction apples to using a hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, a watering can or a bucket, at any time. Fountains (a) A fountain which does not re-circulate water must not be operated. (b) No restriction applies to topping up a fountain at any time, provided that no more water than is necessary for that purpose is used. Wholesale, retail and No restriction or prohibition applies to watering of plants of any description (including vegetables). municipal garden nurseries Vehicle cleaning (a) A hand held hose must not be used at any time to clean a vehicle unless it is fitted with a trigger nozzle. (all vehicles) (b) A hand held hose must not be used to flush a boat motor, unless it is fitted with an appropriate flushing device designed for that purpose. (c) No restriction applies to using a bucket. Paved areas - cleaning A paved area must not be cleaned with water from a hose unless cleaning is required as a result of: (a) an accident, fire, health hazard or other emergency; (b) an identifiable safety hazard that has developed and a hand held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle or a high pressure water cleaning device is used; (c) staining to the surface that has developed, and a hand held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle or a high pressure water cleaning device is used, and then only once per season; (d) construction or renovation work to the surface and a high-pressure water cleaning device is used. Construction industry A hose must not be used unless it is: (a) fitted with a trigger nozzle; and (b) is in good condition and does not leak. Swimming pools A pool or spa with a capacity of 2,000 litres or greater must not be filled for the first time unless: (a) an application which includes details of measures that have been, or will be, undertaken to provide water savings to offset the volume used in filling, has be lodged with Western Water; (b) the application has been approved by Western Water, subject to such conditions as it may impose; and (c) every such condition is complied with.

Regional Action Plan 17 Education and water awareness Since the release of Our Water Our Future, many State water authorities have begun giving customers better information During recent years, Western Water has actively engaged regarding their water consumption. the community to raise awareness of water availability and restriction levels through an education and awareness campaign. Action 3.4 This campaign has included community presentations, newsletters, fact sheets, on-line information detailing Western Water is now providing extra information water conservation tips, a schools education program, on individual customer water bills, which allows water patrols, recycled water projects and water customers to track their water use and compare restriction information. their consumption with other households in their local area. Action 3.3

Western Water will continue its water conservation Water Smart Gardens education campaign beyond the current period of and Homes Rebates Scheme low rainfall to support the community in using water Across Victoria, the Government has committed $10 million efficiently on a day-to-day basis. over four years to provide rebates to households that are ‘water smart’ in their gardens and homes. Water Smart Rebates are available to residential customers on reticulated Better information for customers water systems across Victoria, including Western Water’s customers. Generally, Victorians have low awareness of how much water Since the Water Smart Gardens and Homes Rebates they use. Water bills are an ideal tool for providing more Scheme began, the Western Water Area community has information to customers about water use and how they achieved estimated water savings of 22.9 megalitres per year. can save water.

Table 3.2 Water Smart Gardens & Homes Rebates Scheme in the Western Water Area - 1 January 2003 to 30 June 2005

Product Rebate Rebates Estimated Total Water Amount ($) Approved Savings (ML/Year)

AAA dishwashers* 100 145 0.4 AAAA washing machines* 150 389 6.2 AAA shower rose 10 98 1.3 Dual-flush toilet 50 121 1.6 Greywater permanent 500 17 0.4 tank system High pressure cleaning device 30 589 0.8 Rainwater tanks > 600 litres 150 387 8.1 Rainwater tank connection 150 9 0.3 to toilet system Water conservation audit 30 0 0.0 Rebate when purchasing 30 750 3.8 $100 worth of goods TOTAL 2505 22.9

* Only available 1 October 2003 to 1 December 2003

18 Regional Action Plan Rebates for these organisations are provided for: - water audits and retro-fitting - shower roses, flow regulators or flow control valves, dual flush toilets - maintenance work on leaking taps, toilets, showers - maintenance on irrigation and watering systems to improve water efficiency. The Western Water Area contains about 100 eligible not-for-profit organisations. Some of these organisations will have more than one eligible assessment if more than one premises is involved.

Action 3.6

Rebates will continue for specific water efficiency improvements for eligible not-for-profit organisations within the Western Water Area until 30 June 2006.

Rebate application forms are available on the Our Water Our Future website www.ourwater.vic.gov.au. The forms are also available from the Department of Sustainability and Environment customer service centre on 136 186, Western Water on 1300 650 425 or your local hardware, plumbing supplies or garden retailer.

Encouraging industry to reduce water use Western Water is working with industry, including factories, nurseries, car washes and the tourism industry, to improve water management. For example, Western Water is working with a Melton dye manufacturer to introduce cleaner production practices, which will reduce salt levels during processing and provide opportunities to reuse water on-site. Rebates available for water conserving shower heads This will reduce the amount of drinking quality water used in manufacturing and reduce the impacts of waste. Action 3.5 Western Water is also providing recycled water to the land development industry to reduce the volume of drinking The Water Smart Gardens and Homes Rebates quality water used during construction activities such as Scheme will encourage households to use water more compaction, dust suppression, road construction and wisely, with current rebates available until June 2006. tree watering.

Since 1 October 2004, the Scheme has been extended Action 3.7 to the following not-for-profit organisations that are eligible for the Water and Sewerage Rebate on service charges: Western Water will work with industry to identify and sporting clubs, housing and accommodation, preschools implement improved water management outcomes, and kindergartens and religious organisations. The not-for- including opportunities for water conservation, profit rebate provides up to $250 to these organisations on a recycling and waste minimisation. dollar-for-dollar basis for water efficiency improvements. The maximum rebate of $250 is available when $500 or more is spent by the organisation.

Regional Action Plan 19 Working with local government to reduce water use Water saving devices Four local councils are located within the Western Water The Government supports the use of water saving devices Area: Hume City Council, Melton Shire Council, Moorabool throughout Victoria. It has now introduced mandatory water Shire Council and the Macedon Ranges Shire Council. efficiency standards for all new houses including the fitting of water conserving shower roses and taps. All new fittings in Action 3.8 existing houses must also meet water efficiency standards. Victoria has also passed groundbreaking legislation to Consistent with Our Water Our Future, Western introduce a mandatory water efficiency labelling and Water is working with local councils to develop standards scheme for all water-using appliances, such as water conservation plans for each municipality. dishwashers, toilets, washing machines and showerheads. These initiatives will support the Government’s aspirational Western Water is working with each council to identify where water saving target of 25 per cent for all new developments. recycled water can be used instead of drinking water for It is estimated that in the Western Water Area, these irrigating lawn bowling greens, football fields, reserves and measures will save 350 megalitres of water per year by 2010. golf courses. For example, Western Water has worked with the Macedon Ranges Council to install a recycled water Country Football Grounds Assistance Program irrigation system at Gardiners Reserve in Gisborne to water In April 2004, Victoria’s Premier, Steve Bracks, announced the football field. that $1 million would be made available to help country football clubs affected by low rainfall and water restrictions. Action 3.9 Through the Country Football Grounds Assistance Program, local football clubs have been provided with recycled water Western Water will work with local councils to to irrigate football fields within the Macedon Ranges and reduce the use of drinking quality water for irrigating Melton Shires. public gardens and sporting grounds. Smart Water Fund The Smart Water Fund was established in 2002 by Reducing distribution losses metropolitan water authorities and the State Government. About 12 per cent of Western Water’s water supplies are To date, the Fund has provided over $7 million to lost through leakage from its pipe network. Reducing these support development of ideas that will make a positive losses can significantly contribute to more secure and reliable difference to the way water is used. The Fund encourages water supplies for the local area. innovative approaches to recycling water and biosolids and to increasing water savings to meet future urban and Action 3.10 environmental needs. Under Our Water Our Future, an extra $1 million per year is being provided to extend the Fund into regional Victoria, Western Water will implement detection and repair including the Western Water Area. Applications for the programs to achieve 200 megalitres of water regional component of the Smart Water Fund are being savings within its water supply network by 2010. sought until 18 August 2005. Three further funding rounds will occur annually until June 2008. The Western Water Area has already benefited from the metropolitan program. In September 2004, the Gisborne Junior Soccer Club received a $58,500 grant to install a sub-surface recycled watering system at its Dixon Field playing ground. This will allow the soccer club to reduce its water consumption by 40 per cent, saving up to 3 megalitres of water per year.

20 Regional Action Plan Recycling and alternative supplies Drinking quality water is used for a number of purposes that do not require it, including agriculture, recreational areas, some industrial processes, toilet flushing and residential gardens. Increasing the use of alternative water supplies, such as recycled water, stormwater, rainwater and greywater, can improve the reliability of water supplies, provide water for the environment or growth and reduce the amount of detrimental discharge to our waterways.

Policy

Western Water’s Gerard Barry at the Sunbury Wastewater Purification Plant In our urban communities, we will use water that is fit-for-purpose – many uses of water do not require drinking water standards. Western Water’s recycling achievements We will use alternative water supplies for non- In 2003/04, Western Water recycled 82.7 per cent drinking uses where there is a net benefit to the (or 5,990 megalitres) of the water available from its seven urban community and to minimise detrimental wastewater purification plants. Four of the area’s seven discharges to the environment. plants achieved a recycling rate of 100 per cent. This recycling has reduced discharges to waterways and Our Water Our Future, June 2004 reduced the use of drinking water for some purposes, such as providing water for irrigation. When it is cost effective and fit-for-purpose, recycled water Western Water’s most significant recycled water scheme, presents an opportunity to secure water for irrigation, urban to date, is the Sunbury-Melton Recycled Water Scheme, and industrial uses. Western Water is already providing commissioned in October 2002. The $3.5 million scheme recycled water to agribusinesses within the area and the includes a 30 kilometre trunk pipeline from the Sunbury Government is leading several regional strategic initiatives Wastewater Purification Plant, which supplies 2,200 to investigate: megalitres per year of Class B recycled water to properties - the potential for using recycled water to support located between Sunbury and Melton. agricultural activities - water recycling opportunities for the West of Melbourne Action 3.11 - the Bacchus Marsh Water Supply Feasibility Study. Recycling has already benefited waterways in the Western The Sunbury-Melton recycled water pipeline Water Area, contributing to returning creeks to their natural extension, completed in June 2005 between flows and reducing discharges of nutrients to Port Phillip Bay. Diggers Rest and Toolern Vale, will provide 215 megalitres of recycled water to local agribusinesses previously without access to a reliable water supply.

Regional Action Plan 21 Recycling to increase water availability Vision for Werribee Plains The availability of recycled water within the Sunbury-Melton The Vision for Werribee Plains Action Plan, released by corridor has significantly reduced the impact of low rainfall the Victorian Government in August 2004, is an integral on local agribusinesses and facilities. Through the Sunbury- component of the Our Water Our Future action plan. Melton Recycled Water Scheme, and other agribusiness Initially driven by the scarcity of water in the West and a $160 recycled water projects across the area, Western Water million upgrade of Melbourne’s Western Treatment Plant at provides recycled water for fodder production and the Werribee, the Vision for the Werribee Plains provides for: irrigation of wine grapes, olive groves, tree plantations - improved treated effluent quality at the Western and plant nurseries. Treatment Plant, broadening its suitability as an Western Water is also supporting the use of recycled water alternative supply fit-for-purpose for industry, urban for agriculture by providing recycled water to the Romsey and agriculture use Farm educational facility managed by Salesian College. - improved environmental flows in stressed waterways, including the Werribee River, through maximising alternative supplies such as recycled water and stormwater - significant benefit to agriculture in the region through the development of more sustainable farming practices - new opportunities for industry - improved quality of water discharged into Port Phillip Bay. While the Werribee Plains Vision project boundary encompasses only part of this Regional Action Plan area (including Bacchus Marsh, Melton and surrounds), the benefits will reach throughout the Werribee Catchment and will help accommodate future growth in the area. Key initiatives of the Vision for Werribee Plains Action Plan 2004 include the Bacchus Marsh Water Supply Feasibility Salesian College students using recycled water to grow healthy plants Study and investigation of the major water recycling scenario This $3 million project recycles all water treated by the for the West of Melbourne. Romsey Wastewater Purification Plant (approximately 300 megalitres per year). This partnership between Western Water and Salesian College will help to further educate farmers of the future on sustainable crop irrigation methods using recycled water. While agribusiness is the largest user of recycled water in the Western Water Area, substitution of drinking water with fit-for-purpose recycled water has also occurred at recreation reserves, public open space, golf courses and vineyards. In 2003/04, such substitution saved an estimated 472 megalitres of drinking water.

Action 3.12

By 2010, Western Water aims to reduce demand for drinking water by at least 850 megalitres per year through substitution of recycled water for a range of non-drinking water uses.

A vision for Werribee Plains

22 Regional Action Plan Western Treatment Plant

Major Recycling Scenario – West of Melbourne The Bacchus Marsh Water Supply Feasibility Study As announced in Our Water Our Future and the Vision The Bacchus Marsh Water Resources Stakeholder Group for the Werribee Plains Action Plan 2004, a major recycling was established in early 2004 to explore issues in relation to scenario to supplement existing water supplies in areas securing a sustainable water supply for the Bacchus Marsh west of Melbourne, including the Western Water Area, region, which has been experiencing low water allocations is being examined. due to ongoing low rainfall. One key focus of the Group has Melbourne Water’s Western Treatment Plant already provides been the potential to use recycled water to support local a source of recycled water that is being used in a number agriculture and industry. of schemes to reduce demand on the Werribee River and The Group includes representatives from Melbourne Water, groundwater. Future urban schemes proposed under the Western Water, Southern Rural Water, the Department scenario will also reduce demand on Melbourne’s drinking of Sustainability and Environment, the Department of Primary water supplies. Industries, Regional Development Victoria and Moorabool Shire Council, as well as the Member of Parliament for Melton, Action 3.13 local irrigators and community representatives. In December 2004, the Group commissioned a feasibility During 2005, the Government will further examine study to examine water supply options for the Bacchus recycling opportunities in the West of Melbourne. Marsh region to secure existing water supplies and supply additional water to the northern Werribee Plains region. This ongoing study will consider a range of water supply Werribee Water Reclamation Project options including, but not limited to, the supply of recycled water to the area. The area adjacent to the Western Treatment Plant in Werribee offers a unique opportunity for the development The study will also deliver on commitments made in of an integrated water supply and management system. Our Water Our Future and Vision for Werribee Plains Action The project aims to improve water sustainability through Plan 2004 to investigate recycled water opportunities in the actions including: supplying fit-for-purpose recycled water to Bacchus Marsh Irrigation District. The study is due for a range of urban and rural customers and reduce losses by completion in 2005. replacing open irrigation channels with pipes. Action 3.15 Action 3.14 In 2005, the Department of Sustainability and During 2005, the Government will further explore Environment will complete the Bacchus Marsh Water the Werribee Water Reclamation Project to improve Supply Feasibility Study in consultation with the water management and recover water for urban and Bacchus Marsh Water Resources Stakeholder Group. rural water users and the environment. A vision for Werribee Plains

Regional Action Plan 23 Stormwater management Water sensitive urban development Stormwater is a largely untapped resource that can Rapid urban development occurring across the Western supplement existing water supplies and its management Water Area is projected to continue with new developments can reduce adverse environmental impacts of stormwater providing opportunities to introduce innovative and more discharges in our rivers and creeks. efficient water management practices. Western Water has the opportunity to lead water sensitive urban development by The Stormwater and Urban Water Conservation Fund adopting a total water cycle approach and providing recycled In September 2004, the Premier and Minister for Water or alternative water supplies where appropriate. announced a $10 million Stormwater and Urban Water The Government has recognised these opportunities by Conservation Fund. The Fund, running over three years, setting an aspirational 25 per cent water saving target for supports innovative urban developments that reduce water new development within Victoria. use, conserve and re-use stormwater and support water recycling initiatives to help conserve Victoria’s drinking water supplies. The Minister for Water has approved and announced 22 projects across Victoria within the Round One funding stage. In the Western Water Area, three projects will be funded: - Sunbury Recycled Water Project - Clarke Oval, Sunbury Secondary College and Salesian College. Hume City Council will connect three major sporting complexes in Sunbury to Class B recycled water from Eynesbury Homestead Western Water’s Sunbury Wastewater Purification Plant. The project will replace an estimated 31–44 megalitres The Eynesbury development per year of water treated to drinking water standard. The new Eynesbury township south of Melton will set a - Recycled Water Supply Project - Gisborne Sankey benchmark for water sensitive urban development within Oval and Botanic Gardens. the region, particularly regarding the use of recycled water. Macedon Ranges Shire Council will install a recycled Western Water will provide Class A recycled water to each water irrigation system at a Gisborne sports oval and of the planned 2,900 residential lots for toilet flushing and the Gisborne Botanic Gardens. household garden watering. Class A recycled water will also - Greening Our Futures - Woodend Racecourse Reserve. be used to water public open space and recreation areas, Macedon Ranges Shire Council will build infrastructure and for fire fighting. and connect recycled water from Western Water’s In addition, Class C recycled water will be provided to irrigate existing recycled water pipeline to a large multipurpose surrounding agricultural land for fodder production, vineyards sports facility in Woodend. and olive groves. Construction of infrastructure to provide Each of these projects will replace drinking water supplies recycled water is underway. with recycled water. It is estimated that once the project is completed, the Subsequent funding rounds will occur every six months Eynesbury township will achieve a 50 per cent saving in for the duration of the Fund. Details of further funding rounds the use of drinking quality water compared to traditional can be found on www.dse.vic.gov.au/waterfuture developments. This will result in savings of around 1,000 megalitres of water each year in comparison with more Action 3.16 traditional types of development. 3.17 The Government will support the use of stormwater Action and recycled water as alternative resources through the $10 million Stormwater and Urban Water Western Water will provide recycled water to the Conservation Fund, including projects at Sunbury, new Eynesbury township via a third pipe system Gisborne and Woodend. to save up to 1,000 megalitres of drinking quality water per year.

24 Regional Action Plan Recycling opportunities at Caroline Springs The Macedon Ranges Sewage from the Caroline Springs area (currently serviced In the Macedon Ranges, below average rainfall for the last by City West Water) could be diverted to Western Water’s nine years has led to severe water restrictions for the towns Surbiton Wastewater Purification Plant at Melton for recycling. supplied by Rosslynne Reservoir, including Gisborne, This proposal would result in 4,600 megalitres of new water Riddells Creek, Macedon and Mt Macedon. per year which could be used in the Western Water Area to The Macedon Ranges Water Resource Review Committee, irrigate agriculture, for third pipe urban developments and for led by Western Water, has examined options to secure water irrigating public open space and sporting fields. for the future for this area. As a result, Western Water will A feasibility study for this scenario will be undertaken in invest $6.1 million across a number of projects to increase partnership with City West Water and Melbourne Water and capacity in the existing system by upgrading facilities will be benchmarked against other recycled water schemes, (including pump stations) and duplicating the Sunbury forming an integral part of the Central Regional Sustainable to Melbourne pipeline. Water Strategy, outlined in Chapter Four. It is expected that by December 2005, the additional connection with the Yarra-Thomson water supply system will Action 3.18 enable all of the community’s water needs to be met from the metropolitan system. By June 2006, Western Water will undertake a detailed feasibility study of options for the use Action 3.19 of recycled water sourced from sewage diverted from Caroline Springs to the Surbiton Wastewater Western Water will improve water supply security in Purification Plant at Melton. the Macedon Ranges by augmenting water supplies for the towns of Gisborne, Macedon, Mt Macedon and Riddells Creek with the Melbourne water supply Securing Western Water’s drinking system by December 2005. water supplies Over the past nine years the Western Water Area has experienced lower than average rainfall. Strategies aimed The Melbourne to Melton-Bacchus Marsh Pipeline at securing water supply for communities in its region have A 17 kilometre water pipeline now connects Melton, been a top priority for Western Water. Most importantly, Bacchus Marsh and surrounding towns to the Yarra- Western Water has become connected to the Melbourne Thomson water supply system. The $12.5 million project water supply system. was undertaken in response to prolonged low rainfall conditions and the increasing demand for water due to The Sunbury to Melbourne Pipeline population growth in the Melton and Bacchus March areas. Sunbury, Bulla and Diggers Rest have been supplied with The pipeline, completed in May 2004, now supplements the water from the Yarra-Thomson water supply system since Lake Merrimu system with additional drinking water from the April 2000. A pipeline from Melbourne to Sunbury was Yarra-Thomson system. constructed to cater for population growth in the Sunbury region and to ease demand on Rosslynne Reservoir, which also supplies Gisborne, Riddells Creek, Macedon and Mt Macedon. A second pipeline is currently being constructed to further increase the capacity of the existing system.

Constructing Melbourne to Melton-Bacchus Marsh Pipeline

Regional Action Plan 25 Lancefield, Romsey and Woodend Providing safe and reliable drinking The water supplies of Lancefield, Romsey and Woodend rely water and sewerage services upon rainfall and streamflows throughout the year to meet the water demand of the local communities. This makes Policy these towns particularly susceptible to the effects of low rainfall. An emergency bore was commissioned in January All Victorians will be provided with safe and reliable 2003 and the Riddells Creek catchment and the Romsey drinking water and sewerage services that protect catchment were connected in May 2003 to improve the public health and the environment. security of supply for these towns, but these measures alone are not adequate to cater for longer-term growth. Our Water Our Future, June 2004 Western Water is currently investigating local supply and interconnection options to cater for future population growth During 2003/04, Western Water injected over $20 million in these towns. As part of this process environmental into capital projects to improve water supply and wastewater impacts need to be considered. services and to cater for growth in the area. These major projects included: Action 3.20 − Woodend Marriages Basin water filtration plant. The completion of a $3.5 million upgrade to the existing Western Water will work with its Macedon Ranges filtration plant provides a greater capacity to cater for Community Reference Group to investigate supply town growth and an improved water filtration process options to secure water for the future for Lancefield, for superior water quality. The upgraded Marriages Romsey and Woodend and will report back to the Basin water filtration plant now has greater capacity community on the preferred option by June 2006. to treat more water from Campaspe Reservoir for distribution to Woodend customers. This provides Lake Merrimu customers with a more secure and reliable water source. − Lancefield water supply network. Water flowing into Lake Merrimu, also called inflow, is The completion of a $900,000 upgrade to the water currently shared between Western Water (70 per cent), supply network has improved reliability of drinking water and Southern Rural Water (10 per cent). An unassigned share of inflow (20 per cent) has the potential to supply an supplies for Lancefield. An improved water disinfection average volume of between 1,500 and 2,000 megalitres process has also improved the quality of the water’s per year of high security water. taste, odour and colour. The storage capacity in Lake Merrimu is shared between − Romsey Wastewater Purification Plant. Western Water (60 per cent), Southern Rural Water The Lancefield Sewerage Scheme was commissioned (20 per cent) and a 20 per cent share that has not in June 2003. This saw all of Lancefield’s wastewater been assigned. transferred to the Romsey Wastewater Purification Plant for treatment. As a result, a $2.3 million upgrade of the Action 3.21 Romsey plant also occurred in 2003, to manage sewage flows from Lancefield as well as population growth in Romsey. All wastewater treated at the plant is recycled for Recognising that Lake Merrimu was originally built use on adjacent land known as the Romsey Farm (refer to supply water for growing urban communities, the above section on Western Water’s recycling achievements). Government will assign the remaining 20 per cent share of Lake Merrimu’s storage capacity to Western Water to improve its average annual supply and long-term reliability of supply. All, or part, of the remaining 20 per cent share of inflow to Lake Merrimu will also be allocated to Western Water, subject to the outcomes of an environmental assessment of the Werribee River and the Central Region Sustainable Water Strategy process.

26 Regional Action Plan Construction at Marriages Basin Water Filtration Plant, Woodend Western Water’s Rob Clough monitors water quality at Marriages Basin Water Filtration Plant

Actions to improve water quality This will provide an environmentally sustainable solution to waste disposal, with all wastewater recycled at the Riddells In March 2005, Western Water introduced a Drinking Water Creek Wastewater Purification Plant. Quality Management System. Western Water is currently undertaking a risk assessment of its water supply systems and will undertake works as required to improve water quality. Action 3.23

Action 3.22 Western Water will complete the connection of sewerage infrastructure for the Macedon township by the end of 2005. To improve water quality across its supply area, Western Water will: − consult with the Myrniong community to identify Reconfiguration of the Melton Sewerage Scheme is a the best options for meeting their water quality significant project to be undertaken over the next three years. requirements and the requirements of the Safe The project cost is estimated at $11.5 million and will cater Drinking Water Act 2003. Western Water expects for growth in the region and eliminate the reliance on the to invest $1 million to ensure that the Myrniong Blamey Drive pump station, which is nearing capacity. community receives high quality drinking water. Western Water will undertake extensive community − invest $2.375 million over the next four years to consultation with Melton residents and stakeholders install a treatment plant to reduce the colour before finalising plans for the new sewer system. and turbidity of water supplied to Lancefield during periods of high demand. Action 3.24 − invest over $900,000 to improve water quality treatment for Romsey, Riddells Creek, Macedon Western Water will consult with residents of and Bulla. Melton regarding the options for the enhancement of the Melton sewerage scheme, with a view to completing the project by June 2008. Actions for improved sewerage services The Victorian Government formally approved the Macedon Action 3.25 New Town Sewerage Scheme project in February 2003. This followed comprehensive community and stakeholder Western Water will invest $13.7 million over the next consultation on design of the Scheme and detailed three years to upgrade its wastewater purification investigation of the town’s environmental management plants at Sunbury, Gisborne, Bacchus Marsh, and public health requirements. When the $13.6 million Melton, Riddells Creek and Woodend to ensure Scheme is completed in December 2005, over 700 they continue to exceed Environment Protection existing houses in the Macedon area will be connected Authority requirements. to sewerage infrastructure.

Regional Action Plan 27 Chapter Four 4 Moving Forward Our Water Our Future will increase Victoria’s capability to However, the area’s resources are linked to other plan for our long-term water future – how future pressures parts of the State, including Melbourne, Ballarat and are identified and managed and opportunities captured. Geelong. For example, links to Melbourne occur through A key part of this capability will be the Regional Sustainable the Sunbury-Melbourne and Melton-Bacchus Marsh to Water Strategies, which the Government will prepare Melbourne pipelines. Therefore it is important that emerging in consultation with communities, for five regions of the opportunities and pressures are considered from a broader State – Central; Wimmera and Glenelg; Northern Victoria; regional perspective. Gippsland; and South West. The Minister for Water and the Department of Sustainability A Sustainable Water Strategy sets out a long term, regional and Environment will co-ordinate the Central Region plan to supply water for local growth while maintaining the Sustainable Water Strategy. It will be developed with regional balance of the area’s water system and safeguarding the expertise, in collaboration with catchment management future of its rivers and other natural water sources. authorities, water authorities, local government and the The Western Water Area is part of the Central Region community through an open consultative process. Sustainable Water Strategy. The Strategy will encompass A community consultation period will allow all members the West Gippsland, Port Phillip, Westernport, Western, of the public to comment on the proposals in the Strategy. Central Highlands and Barwon areas. It will stocktake all Further information on public consultation activities will be water resources available within the region then set out released later in the year. a clear path to ensure a secure and healthy water supply into the future. Action 4.1 The Central Region Sustainable Water Strategy will: - identify and manage threats to the supply and quality The Government will complete the Central Region of water for cities and towns or industry or rivers Sustainable Water Strategy during 2006. and aquifers - realise emerging opportunities to improve water security This Regional Action Plan presents clear actions to secure and the health of rivers and aquifers the water future of the Western Water Area, protecting its - communicate to regional communities what their water rivers and waterways while providing water to cater for the situation looks like over the long-term, and actions they growing population. can take to improve it. It complements and provides valuable information for the The Strategy will also allow Government and communities Central Region Sustainable Water Strategy. This approach to assess and make decisions about water challenges to meeting the challenges of securing water for the Western and opportunities across a broader regional perspective Water Area will ensure we can look forward to a prosperous and across catchment and institutional boundaries. and sustainable future. This Western Water Area Regional Action Plan focuses on actions within the water supply system specific to Western Water.

“ Long-term planning is essential if Victoria is to provide security of supply for cities and towns, industry and the environment.”

Our Water Our Future, June 2004 Summary of Western Water Area Actions

In 2005, Melbourne Water, as Western Water will continue its Western Water will implement waterway manager, will begin to water conservation education detection and repair programs to implement the five-year Port Phillip campaign beyond the current period achieve 200 megalitres of water and Westernport Regional River of low rainfall to support the community savings within its water supply Health Strategy. in using water efficiently on a network by 2010. day-to-day basis. In 2006, Melbourne Water, as By 2010, Western Water aims to waterway manager, will develop a Western Water is now providing extra reduce demand for drinking water Regional Water Quality Improvement information on individual customer by at least 850 megalitres per year Plan, in consultation with a consortium water bills, which allows customers through substitution of recycled water of regional land and water agencies. to track their water use and compare for a range of non-drinking water uses. This will allow risks to water quality their consumption with other During 2005, the Government will to be determined and will set regional households in their local area. further examine recycling opportunities water quality priorities and targets for The Water Smart Gardens and in the West of Melbourne. the Western Water Area. Homes Rebates Scheme will During 2005, the Government will Waterway manager, Melbourne encourage households to use water further explore the Werribee Water Water, will continue the Stream more wisely, with current rebates Reclamation Project to improve water Frontage Management Program. available until June 2006. management and recover water for During 2005/06 they will spend Water and sewerage rebates will urban and rural water users and approximately $100,000 to improve continue for specific water efficiency the environment. the condition of the region’s rivers and improvements for eligible not-for-profit creeks by engaging stream frontage The Government will support the use organisations within the Western holders in the tasks of protecting and of stormwater and recycled water as Water Area until 30 June 2006. enhancing streamside vegetation and alternative resources through the minimising erosion and stock access. Western Water will work with $10 million Stormwater and Urban industry to identify and implement Water Conservation Fund, including By August 2006 Western Water will improved water management projects at Sunbury, Gisborne prepare a Water Supply-Demand outcomes, including opportunities and Woodend. Strategy that identifies the best mix of for water conservation, recycling demand measures and supply options Permanent Water Saving Rules, and waste minimisation. to ensure reliable water supplies for introduced to the Western Water Area customers into the future. Consistent with Our Water Our Future, on 1 March 2005 will achieve Western Water is working with local long-term water savings. Western Water will work with local councils to develop water conservation councils to reduce the use of drinking The Government will complete the plans for each municipality. quality water for irrigating public Central Region Sustainable Water gardens and sporting grounds. Strategy by late 2006.

Werribee Catchment Actions to Secure The Sunbury-Melton recycled water pipeline extension, completed in June 2005, between Diggers Rest and Toolern Vale will provide 215 megalitres of recycled water Sustainable Water to local agribusinesses previously without access to a reliable water supply. To improve water quality across its supply area, Supplies in the Western Water will: - consult with the Myrniong community to identify the best options for meeting their water quality requirements and Western Water Area the requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act 2003. Western Water expects to invest $1 million to ensure that the Myrniong community receives high quality Maribyrnong Catchment drinking water. - undertake a detailed feasibility study in 2006 of Western Water will: options for the use of recycled water sourced from - invest $2.375 million over the next four years to sewage diverted from Caroline Springs to the Surbiton improve water quality for Lancefield during periods Wastewater Purification Plant at Melton. of high demand. - consult with residents of Melton regarding the options - provide recycled water to the new Eynesbury township for the enhancement of the Melton sewer scheme, via a third pipe system. with a view to completing the project by June 2008. - improve water supply security in the Macedon Ranges - provide recycled water to the new Eynesbury township by augmenting water supplies for the towns of Gisborne, via a third pipe system. Macedon, Mt Macedon and Riddells Creek with the Melbourne water supply system by December 2005. In 2005, the Department of Sustainability and Environment will complete the Bacchus Marsh Water Supply Feasibility - work with its Macedon Ranges Community Reference Study in consultation with the Bacchus Marsh Water Group to investigate supply options to secure water for Resources Stakeholder Group. the future for Lancefield, Romsey and Woodend and will report back to the community on the preferred option by The Government will assign the remaining 20 per cent June 2006. share of Lake Merrimu’s storage capacity to Western Water to improve its average supply long-term reliability. - invest over $900,000 to improve water quality treatment The unassigned inflow to Lake Merrimu will also be allocated for Romsey, Riddells Creek, Macedon and Bulla. to Western Water, subject to the outcomes of the Central - invest $13.7 million over the next three years to upgrade Region Sustainable Water Strategy process. its wastewater purification plants at Sunbury, Gisborne, Bacchus Marsh, Melton, Riddells Creek and Woodend to ensure they continue to exceed EPA requirements. Werribee River - complete sewering of Macedon township by the end of 2005. In 2005, Melbourne Water, as waterway manager, will spend As part of the $5 million Our Water Our Future Metering $300,000 to restore the health of the Werribee River, funding Program, the Lancefield and Merrimu Groundwater environmental flow studies and targeted river restoration works. Management Areas will be metered by Southern Rural The environmental flow study for the Werribee River Water by 2006. and a related investigation of the role of flow in maintaining the health of the Werribee Estuary will: Maribyrnong River - better inform water management decisions

for the system Under Our Water Our Future, a $110,000 environmental flow - identify priorities and actions to improve study for the Maribyrnong River, including the estuary, will be environmental flows. completed by December 2005. In Autumn 2005, Melbourne Water commenced willow Melbourne Water and Southern Rural Water will use the removal works to restore habitat in a five kilometre priority outcomes of the environmental flow study to develop a reach of the Lower Werribee River. Streamflow Management Plan to specify water sharing The Government will enhance the Environmental Water arrangements for the Upper Maribyrnong River (Deep Creek). Reserve of the Werribee River by implementing the Werribee In 2005/06, Melbourne Water will continue habitat restoration Irrigation District Recycled Water Scheme. through activities such as reinstatement of indigenous The Salt Reduction Strategy for the Western Treatment Plant, vegetation and protecting deep pool habitats in the Upper launched by the Government in May 2005, aims to reduce Maribyrnong River (Deep Creek). salt levels in recycled water for Werribee recycling schemes by 40 per cent by 2009. Published by the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment Melbourne, August 2005 Also published on www.dse.vic.gov.au This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. Authorised by the Victorian Government 8 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne Printed by Vega Press ISBN 1 74152 165 3 © State of Victoria, Department of Sustainability and Environment 2005 Disclaimer This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication. Photographs courtesy of Melbourne Water and Western Water.

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