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Melbourne’s big water order to boost supply

Melbourne water users will be hit with a charge of about $9 next financial year for the Wonthaggi desalination plant in order to keep it at near-maximum capacity for healthier storages.

Melbourne water users will cough up an average of $9 next financial year to pay for a 125 billion litre desalination order.

For the second year in a row, the Wonthaggi plant will be cranked up to near-maximum capacity in order to secure healthier storages for Melbourne as well as regional areas such as Geelong and Ballarat.

Households and businesses are being shielded from the full cost of the $76 million order, which would have added $26 per bill, due to refinancing of the desal contract.

The extra amount paid per water user is the same as last year, which the Andrews Government says will mean households won’t see bills rise again.

Water Minister Lisa Neville said the “order will boost water security and supply … without increasing water bills for households”.

Water Minister Lisa Neville. Picture: Getty Images
Water Minister Lisa Neville. Picture: Getty Images

“The fact is it’s raining less and we’re using more water – the desal plant makes up the difference, ensuring we have enough water to meet growing demand,” she said.

The massive order represents 44 per cent of residential water use in Melbourne in 2018-19, and will keep storages healthy even during dry weather. Melbourne dams would be at just over 50 per cent without last year’s 125 gigalitre order, which has pushed up supplies to about 61 per cent.

The desal plant was completed in late 2012, but was not switched on until 2016-17.

Under the contract struck by the former Brumby Government during the Millennium Drought, the consortium that built the plant is paid about $600 million a year to keep it ready for action.

About 190 gigalitres of water has been desalinated since it was first turned on, and a minimum order of 15gl a year is now placed to avoid costly breakdowns if it is not used.

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matthew.johnston@news.com.au

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/melbournes-big-water-order-to-boost-supply/news-story/a0dc91e97f597ce516215ec5c4e6adf6