Desalination water order to go ahead despite surging dam levels

VICTORIA is pushing ahead with a controversial $27 million water order from the ­desalination plant, despite surging dam levels across the state.

Victoria's desalination plant in Dalyston. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

VICTORIA is pushing ahead with a controversial $27 million water order from the ­desalination plant, despite surging dam levels across the state.

The decision comes as the State Government draws criticism for refusing to reveal the cost to taxpayers for abandoning the maiden water order of 50 gigalitres.

Water Minister Lisa Neville told the Herald Sun “a wet start to spring is not a reason to cancel the water order’’, which is due to be delivered by the end of the year.

Victorians would have to foot a big cancellation bill, inc­luding costs for maintenance, which would be negotiated with the Wonthaggi plant’s ­operator, Aquasure, if the government changed its mind.

The minister is being grilled in parliament over the order made last April, as water storages in Geelong hit 65 per cent on Tuesday, 2.3 per cent higher than 2015 levels.

Victoria's desalination plant in Dalyston. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews with Police Minister Lisa Neville. Picture: Eugene Hyland

Melbourne storage levels were recorded at 67.2 per cent yesterday, compared to 73.1 per cent at the same time last year.

Ms Neville previously flagged dry conditions — inc­luding in Geelong and Ballarat — was the reason to switch on the desalination plant as an “insurance policy”.

The state has been hit with a deluge since Friday that has affected 12 local council areas.

“This is the time we expect to see higher rainfall and we would hope that despite the impact of flooded areas we will see this resonate in our reservoirs,” Ms Neville said. “We remain committed to the desalination water order and there are no plans to cancel it.”

Nationals leader Peter Walsh said “it is time the minister came clean and admitted they have got it wrong and cancel the order”.

Greens leader Greg Barber slammed the switch-on decision, which will add another $12 to household water bills.

“If they’d looked at the long-range forecast back in March, they would have known it was going to pour down and fill the dams very quickly,” he said.

“Even though the desal plant is already built, it costs extra every time we turn it on.”

It is the first time the switch has been turned on at the Won­thaggi site since it was finished in 2012, despite the $607 million annual bill to keep the plant ready for use.

Greens leader Greg Barber slammed the switch-on decision.

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