Works begin next month on Stage 2 of the Werribee Irrigation District modernisation, replacing ageing channel systems with pipeline and bringing benefits to local growers and irrigators.

Tim Pallas, Member for Werribee and Victorian Treasurer, announced the completion of stage 1 of the works and the launch of stage 2 for winter 2018. When these works are completed by September 2018, around 12km of the district will be piped.

The first three stages of the project will deliver $21M worth of works, funded jointly by Andrews Labor Government and Southern Rural Water’s Werribee customers. They will be completed by the end of 2019.

The State Government and Southern Rural Water contributions have secured two-thirds of the funding sought for the overall five-stage $31.3 M project to pipe the Werribee Irrigation District, which would complete 40km of pipeline throughout the district.

The Andrews Labor Government and Southern Rural Water are continuing to seek the remaining funds for this vital project through the Turnbull Liberal Government’s National Water Infrastructure Development Fund.  Once completed, the project will replace ageing channels, improve efficiency and will save around 5,000ML of water annually.

The works continue to deliver modernised systems for local growers, and help provide water security and improve efficiency in the Werribee system.

Quotes attributable to Member for Werribee Tim Pallas:

 “We are pleased to work in partnership with Werribee growers to deliver these important works for a vital industry that is providing $180M to the economy every year.”

“We call on the Turnbull Liberal Government to match the contribution by growers and the Andrews Labor Government.”