Media Releases
MORE WATER FOR HOUSEHOLDS, SPORT, RIVERS AND FARMERS
From the Premier
Tuesday, 16 March 2010
Melbourne will join Bendigo, Ballarat and Geelong in having water restrictions eased to Stage 3 because of record investment by the Victorian Government in major water projects, outstanding water-saving efforts by households and welcome rainfall, Premier John Brumby announced today.
Melbourne’s water restrictions will be eased from Stage 3a to Stage 3 from Good Friday meaning:
• Three in four sportsgrounds and school ovals will be able to be watered – up from one in four (effective from today);
• Households will be able to water gardens every second morning for two hours;
• Councils can increase watering of public gardens by 50 per cent; and
• Target 155 will remain in place to encourage households to continue saving water.
Mr Brumby and Water Minister Tim Holding also announced new measures for stressed rivers and farmers including;
• 10 billion litres of water will be returned to the Yarra (7 billion) and Thomson (3 billion) rivers in environmental flows; and
• 5 billion litres of water will be available for farmers in Werribee (2 billion) and Bacchus Marsh (3 billion).
Mr Brumby said Stage 3 water restrictions would provide Melbourne households with more flexibility watering their garden as well as more water for community sport.
“Victoria’s water supplies have turned the corner. Our Government’s unprecedented investment in diverse water projects is pulling Melburnians and regional Victorians away from severe water restrictions,” Mr Brumby said.
“Around 260 towns across Victoria have had their restrictions eased since the start of last year which shows the benefits our investment in water projects are having right across the State.”
“The easing of water restrictions in Melbourne would not have been possible without the Tarago Reservoir re-connection, Sugarloaf Pipeline and the desalination plant.
“Melbourne’s water storages are 34.6 per cent full – up more than 90 billion litres from the same time last year – which has given us a healthy buffer.
“The relaxing of restrictions on watering sportsgrounds is effective immediately to enable councils to prepare their grounds for the upcoming football and soccer seasons.”
Melbourne’s major water projects include:
• The desalination plant will supply up to 150 billion litres of water from the end of 2011;
• Tarago Reservoir which was re-connected in June last year and is supplying around 15 billion litres of water per year;
• Sugarloaf Pipeline will supply 75 billion litres of water this year and has already provided 2.5 billion litres since the pipe was turned on last month; and
• Eastern Treatment Plant Upgrade will provide Class A recycled water for non-drinking purposes including industry, sportsgrounds and agriculture in 2012.
Water Minister Tim Holding urged Melburnians to continue their water saving efforts.
“While we are providing more flexibility for Melburnians we want people to continue to conserve water so we will be encouraging everyone to keep to Target 155. For the past year Melburnians have used on average 149 litres per person per day which is a fantastic effort,” he said.
Mr Holding said the additional water for rivers and farmers would provide significant benefits.
“The Werribee and Bacchus Marsh vegetable growers play a vital role providing food and jobs to Victorians. This additional water will provide welcome relief from the ongoing low water levels in that region,” he said.
“Victoria’s rivers have been under enormous stress following 13 years of drought so returning much needed environmental flows will be a real boost for the Thomson and Yarra Rivers.
“The Tarago River will also receive 2-3 GL in environmental flows as a direct result of restrictions being eased. Rules on water taken from the river required these flows to be returned if restrictions were eased below Stage 3a.”
Stage 3a water restrictions were first introduced on 1 April 2007.
Under Stage 3 water restrictions:
Gardens
Lawns are not permitted to be watered.
A manual dripper system, hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, a watering can and a bucket can be used to water gardens between 6 am - 8 am every second day*
Automatic dripper systems may be used between midnight and 2 am every second day*
*Alternate dates - Even numbered properties can water gardens on even dates. Odd-numbered properties can water on odd dates. Households with someone over the age of 70, may water at the alternate time of 8 am-10 am. Odds and even properties can both water on the 31st of the month.
Sportsgrounds
Councils can water three in four sportsgrounds – effectively 50 per cent more water than under Stage 3a. Councils may choose how increased water is allocated to their sportsgrounds as part of a water conservation plan in consultation with their local water authority.
Washing Cars
No change from Stage 3a - cars can be washed at a commercial car wash. A bucket filled from a tap can be used to clean windows, mirrors and lights; and spot-remove corrosive substances.
Melbourne’s water restrictions will be eased from Stage 3a to Stage 3 from Good Friday meaning:
• Three in four sportsgrounds and school ovals will be able to be watered – up from one in four (effective from today);
• Households will be able to water gardens every second morning for two hours;
• Councils can increase watering of public gardens by 50 per cent; and
• Target 155 will remain in place to encourage households to continue saving water.
Mr Brumby and Water Minister Tim Holding also announced new measures for stressed rivers and farmers including;
• 10 billion litres of water will be returned to the Yarra (7 billion) and Thomson (3 billion) rivers in environmental flows; and
• 5 billion litres of water will be available for farmers in Werribee (2 billion) and Bacchus Marsh (3 billion).
Mr Brumby said Stage 3 water restrictions would provide Melbourne households with more flexibility watering their garden as well as more water for community sport.
“Victoria’s water supplies have turned the corner. Our Government’s unprecedented investment in diverse water projects is pulling Melburnians and regional Victorians away from severe water restrictions,” Mr Brumby said.
“Around 260 towns across Victoria have had their restrictions eased since the start of last year which shows the benefits our investment in water projects are having right across the State.”
“The easing of water restrictions in Melbourne would not have been possible without the Tarago Reservoir re-connection, Sugarloaf Pipeline and the desalination plant.
“Melbourne’s water storages are 34.6 per cent full – up more than 90 billion litres from the same time last year – which has given us a healthy buffer.
“The relaxing of restrictions on watering sportsgrounds is effective immediately to enable councils to prepare their grounds for the upcoming football and soccer seasons.”
Melbourne’s major water projects include:
• The desalination plant will supply up to 150 billion litres of water from the end of 2011;
• Tarago Reservoir which was re-connected in June last year and is supplying around 15 billion litres of water per year;
• Sugarloaf Pipeline will supply 75 billion litres of water this year and has already provided 2.5 billion litres since the pipe was turned on last month; and
• Eastern Treatment Plant Upgrade will provide Class A recycled water for non-drinking purposes including industry, sportsgrounds and agriculture in 2012.
Water Minister Tim Holding urged Melburnians to continue their water saving efforts.
“While we are providing more flexibility for Melburnians we want people to continue to conserve water so we will be encouraging everyone to keep to Target 155. For the past year Melburnians have used on average 149 litres per person per day which is a fantastic effort,” he said.
Mr Holding said the additional water for rivers and farmers would provide significant benefits.
“The Werribee and Bacchus Marsh vegetable growers play a vital role providing food and jobs to Victorians. This additional water will provide welcome relief from the ongoing low water levels in that region,” he said.
“Victoria’s rivers have been under enormous stress following 13 years of drought so returning much needed environmental flows will be a real boost for the Thomson and Yarra Rivers.
“The Tarago River will also receive 2-3 GL in environmental flows as a direct result of restrictions being eased. Rules on water taken from the river required these flows to be returned if restrictions were eased below Stage 3a.”
Stage 3a water restrictions were first introduced on 1 April 2007.
Under Stage 3 water restrictions:
Gardens
Lawns are not permitted to be watered.
A manual dripper system, hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, a watering can and a bucket can be used to water gardens between 6 am - 8 am every second day*
Automatic dripper systems may be used between midnight and 2 am every second day*
*Alternate dates - Even numbered properties can water gardens on even dates. Odd-numbered properties can water on odd dates. Households with someone over the age of 70, may water at the alternate time of 8 am-10 am. Odds and even properties can both water on the 31st of the month.
Sportsgrounds
Councils can water three in four sportsgrounds – effectively 50 per cent more water than under Stage 3a. Councils may choose how increased water is allocated to their sportsgrounds as part of a water conservation plan in consultation with their local water authority.
Washing Cars
No change from Stage 3a - cars can be washed at a commercial car wash. A bucket filled from a tap can be used to clean windows, mirrors and lights; and spot-remove corrosive substances.
Levels of water restrictions in Victorian towns:
|
Town |
Restrictions |
|
Maryborough |
Stage 4 (with exemptions) |
|
Ballarat |
Stage 3 |
|
Bendigo |
Stage 3 |
|
Geelong |
Stage 3 |
|
Hamilton |
Stage 2 |
|
Horsham |
Stage 1 |
|
Mildura |
Stage 1 |
|
Shepparton |
No Restrictions - PWSR |
|
Traralgon |
No Restrictions - PWSR |
|
Wonthaggi |
No Restrictions - PWSR |
