Geelong’s water future looks dry without significant funding commitments

Federal and state politicians have signalled their support for Barwon Water’s ambitious alternative water grid plan, but stopped short of making financial commitments.

Support is growing for Barwon Water’s plan for a large-scale alternative water grid with federal and state governments signalling their backing for the project, but they have stopped short of committing to local funding requests.

Water demand in Geelong is threatening to outstrip supply.

Farmers are already being forced to get rid of stock due to dry conditions.

Climate change and warming conditions are drying out Geelong’s rivers and pushing rainfall water sources out to sea.

Massive population growth is only going to make water more scarce.

Ahead of the federal election, regional leaders from the G21 Geelong Region Alliance Geelong came together to spotlight key investment needed in infrastructure to future-proof the region – water security was one of their three priorities.

The alternative water grid would bolster supply, diverting recycled water and treated stormwater at a large scale, which could then be used for non-drinking uses across the region.

The G21 alliance made individual funding requests for three alternative water grid projects: $12m for the implementation of a storage basin and distribution pipeline in the Surf Coast hinterland; $7.5m for design of the North West recycling facility; and $500,000 to develop a business case for recycled water in northern Geelong.

The Geelong Advertiser asked politicians from state and federal governments about their support for these projects. While signalling they were supportive of the projects, no commitments were made to the specific funding requests.

A spokesperson for Richard Marles said that the federal member for Corio was “always committed to supporting projects like the Barwon Water proposal” that bring benefits to the Geelong region and its community.

The spokesperson said the government was “committed to working with local communities” to fund water infrastructure projects.

“These projects are a priority of the local region, and I look forward to working with both the state and federal government, alongside Barwon Water, to ensure high priority projects are considered.”

Libby Coker, the federal member for Corangamite, pointed to the federal government’s March 2024 investment of $1.9m to protect the Karaaf Wetlands – a water grid project.

“Barwon Water are a fantastic organisation and I’m proud of the work we’re doing together, and with the Surf Coast Shire, to ensure the Karaaf Wetlands in Torquay are protected for future generations,” she said.

“The federal government has invested $1.9m to help address the excessive freshwater draining to these coastal, saline wetlands, and to protect the wetland’s significant natural values.”

The Federal Government invested $1.9m to help address the excessive freshwater draining to the Karaaf Wetlands in Torquay.

A spokesperson for the federal government’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water said the government was committed to investing in “well planned and high priority” water infrastructure.

“We welcome the work of Barwon Water and look forward to the Victorian government bringing forward a proposal should they consider the projects to be a priority,” they said.

For the state government’s part Minister for Water Gayle Tierney said the government was investing in recycled water initiatives across Victoria.

“We will review proposals for potential funding opportunities as they become available,” said Ms Tierney.

The state government has already invested in the alternative water grid through their Integrated Water Management Program, with $2.9m given for planning and research to inform the development of the grid.

The state government is currently working with Barwon Water to look at funding opportunities through the federal government’s water project funding program, the National Water Grid Fund.

One alternative water grid project already funded through that program was a $5.5m upgrade to the Portarlington Water Reclamation Plant.

More investment in the region appears urgent. Barwon Water’s key catchments have seen below average rainfall in 10 of the last 12 months.

The catchments entered March at 47 per cent capacity, about 28 per cent lower than March last year.

In the meantime, Barwon Water’s managing director Shaun Cumming has urged people to save water after “an extremely dry period”.

“With rainfall becoming less reliable, we will need to be more water efficient, fix leaks and consider new water sources to ensure our rivers flow, food grows, and our footprint is low,” Mr Cumming said.

Originally published as Geelong’s water future looks dry without significant funding commitments