Vision for Werribee Plains – the Next Step Action Plan2004
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Vision for Werribee Plains – the next step action plan2004 Vision for Werribee Plains – the next step action plan2004 Published by the Victorian Government Department of Sustainability and Environment Melbourne, August 2004 Also published on www.dse.vic.gov.au This document was prepared in collaboration with Regional Development Victoria and the Werribee Plains Consultative Panel. Images have been provided from Melbourne Water, Wyndham City Council, Moorabool Shire Council, VicUrban, Parks Victoria and Sharron Dickman. © The State of Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment 2004 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 Impact Digital, 32 Syme Street, Brunswick. Printed on recycled paper. ISBN 1 74106 919 X For more information contact the DSE Customer Service Centre 136 186 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 other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication. www.dse.vic.gov.au contents Message from the Premier 3 Message from the Minister for Water 3 1. The Vision for Werribee Plains 4 2. Vision for Werribee Plains – the next step 5 3. Highlights and priorities of the Action Plan 2004 6 4. The story so far 8 5. The Werribee Plains region 10 6. Sustainable regional development 12 7. Sustainable water management 14 8. Project Details 16 8.1 Water infrastructure projects 16 8.2 Urban development projects 22 8.3 Industry projects 24 8.4 Environment and tourism projects 26 9. More Information and getting involved 30 2 Action Plan 2004 Message from Deputy Premier and the Premier Minister for Water’s message The Victorian Government recently released the Our Water The Vision for Werribee Plains is an integral part of the Our Future White Paper to secure the state’s water for the next government’s water reform strategy as outlined in the 50 years. Our Water Our Future White Paper. Our Water Our Future is one of the most innovative and This long-term project is introducing a new, sustainable integrated water strategies in Australia, indeed the world. approach to extending Victoria’s water supplies. A key challenge that we face is the need for secure reliable It involves major, innovative public works to provide new ways water supplies for our homes, our farms and industry while to use recycled water to develop a greener western suburbs. meeting the needs of the environment. This Action Plan aims to upgrade treated wastewater from Our Water Our Future recognises that all water resources Melbourne Water’s Western Treatment Plant to a standard are valuable and that our prosperity relies upon the health suitable for use in agriculture, gardens and industry across the of our environment. Werribee Plains. As part of meeting this challenge, the government has a vision The re-direction of this water from effluent to asset will not only for the Werribee Plains that will transform the region into a global provide a sustainable focus and example for waste management leader in water management and sustainable development. but further reduce contaminant discharges to Port Phillip Bay. We have created this Action Plan as the first in a series of It will also underpin the sustainable focus for the region’s statements setting out priority actions the government will take growing community, especially the planned VicUrban Werribee to deliver the Vision for Werribee Plains. Field Development. The Government has committed $10 million from the Victorian The project is building on Victoria’s leadership in developing Water Trust towards projects that will bring real and lasting recognition of recycled water as a key resource in water benefits to the Werribee Plains region through the increased use management. of recycled water. As part of the Our Water Our Future reform, recycled water will The Vision for Werribee Plains and the projects outlined in be included in Victoria’s water allocation framework. this Action Plan will deliver substantial social, economic The value of this growing irrigation resource has already been and environmental benefits as well as a vibrant and proved locally with 200 million litres now used each year on the sustainable community. National Equestrian Centre and Golf Course and construction of the Werribee Irrigation District Recycled Water pipeline to provide recycled water for horticulture in Werribee South. This Action Plan sets a clear direction for government, industry and the community to move forward with this exciting initiative. Steve Bracks Premier of Victoria John Thwaites Minister for Water 3 1 The Vision for Werribee Plain The Vision for Werribee Plains will position the region as a world leader in sustainable development, generating new economic and employment opportunities and securing the region’s future as an internationally focussed, innovative and attractive place to live, work and invest. Werribee Plains will become world renowned for its commitment to: • sustainable agricultural development and high-value outputs from agricultural land • sustainable industrial and urban development • sustainable management of the region’s natural resources, including water, energy and ecosystems • high level innovation and the use of advanced technologies • a strong and vibrant community culture built on sustainability. A key driver to the Vision will be the opportunities created by the region’s recycled water resources. 4 Action Plan 2004 2 Vision for Werribee Plains – the next step ‘The Vision for Werribee Plains recognises that rather than waiting for the future to overtake us, we can actively shape the future we want.’ John Thwaites Minister for Water Under the Vision, the Werribee Plains will be transformed into a There will be significant benefits to agriculture in the region region with: through the development of more sustainable farming practices, improved research into agriculture and increased exports of • major irrigation precincts that promote efficient irrigation value-added products grown using recycled water and and sustainable water practices sustainable practices. • attractive residential precincts with leading-edge environmental design, sustainable buildings and good access A region-wide commitment to sustainability will deliver new to public transport, local jobs and community services opportunities for industry, building on existing regional strengths in transport and logistics (for example Avalon Airport), • sustainable industrial precincts that recycle waste and manufacturing and agriculture, generating more technology- reduce or eliminate emissions to the environment based, innovative and knowledge intensive industries and • internationally renowned tourism precincts built around the attracting new industries. region’s natural assets and established attractions Significant capital works at the Western Treatment Plant and • innovative technology precincts supporting cutting-edge the greater use of recycled water across the region will also research and development and commercialisation in the food improve water quality in Port Phillip Bay, by enhancing processing, water and organic recycling, renewable energy treatment capabilities and reducing discharge to the Bay. and environmental technology industries • vibrant communities that are well served by public transport and provide job opportunities, retail services, housing and recreational activities. The region will enjoy a healthy natural environment with improved environmental flows in previously stressed rivers and streams, higher levels of protection for native vegetation and wildlife, improved recreational facilities and reductions in salts, heavy metals and other pollutants flowing into the region’s treatment plants. 5 3 Highlights and priorities of the Action Plan 2004 The Vision for Werribee Plains Action Plan 2004 builds on the significant work already undertaken as part of the Vision. It outlines progress to date and highlights priority projects the government is undertaking as part of the Vision. Additional Action Plans will be released as the project progresses. Projects Summary Water Infrastructure Industry • A $124 million Melbourne Water upgrade of the • City West Water will work with high water use industries Western Treatment Plant in Werribee is now close to in the region to reduce the amount of trade waste that completion. This will improve the quality of water enters the sewerage system. discharged into the Bay and create increased • Through the Victorian Water Trust the government will opportunities for using recycled water in the region. invest up to $1 million towards Water Smart Industry • A detailed salinity reduction strategy is under demonstration projects in Melbourne's West aimed at development, aimed at reducing salt levels in achieving reductions in salt and wastewater and an wastewater from the Western treatment Plant. increase in effective and innovative use of recycled water. Salt levels are a key constraint on use of recycled • The government will invest $300,000 to develop a water in agricultural and urban dual supply schemes. strategy to attract new research and technology Options under investigation include at source reduction activities