COLIBAN Water has been announced as a recipient of Federal funding for a new project to help them improve their water system.<\/p>\n
The Government is giving $3.7 million to the water utility to assist with plans for upgrades to existing infrastructure used for agricultural supply.<\/p>\n
Member for Bendigo, Lisa Chesters, said her electorate sits at the base of the Murray-Darling Basin, with a number of river and creek systems feeding into it.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s why the Federal Government is proud to partner with the Coliban and help fund this business case so we can have a plan on how we can save our environment and community water through smart infrastructure,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
In its current state it is estimated that half the water running through the utilities section is wasted.<\/p>\n
Managing director of Coliban Water, Damian Wells, said the funding presented an opportunity for the region and for the company\u2019s customers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re obviously really concerned in terms of our strategy about responding to climate change, aging assets and population growth,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The Dja Dja Warrung Aboriginal Corporation, DJARRA, was consulted during the preparation of the planned business case for the funding.<\/p>\n
Improvements to the existing water infrastructure could see a water savings of up to 6.75 gigalitres per year, with some of that set to return to traditional owners.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s explicitly contemplated in the preliminary business case and we\u2019ll continue to have Djarra embedded in all of the government structure around the project,\u201d Mr Wells said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe key beneficiaries of the project will be agriculture, urban users, traditional owners and the environment.\u201d<\/p>\n
Coliban Water will contribute a further $2 million to the project which could take up to two years to complete.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
COLIBAN Water has been announced as a recipient of Federal funding for a new project to help them improve their water system. The Government is giving $3.7 million to the water utility to assist with plans for upgrades to existing infrastructure used for agricultural supply. Member for Bendigo, Lisa Chesters, said her electorate sits at […]<\/p>\n