It’s been another big year at Southern Rural Water, and we wanted to thank our customers, partners, and the community for making it such a good one. We’ve achieved a lot together and we’d like to take a moment to call out some of the highlights.
One of the standout achievements has been the successful completion of the Newry pipeline. This new $39.8 million investment will improve efficiencies in water delivery and encourage on-farm improvements that will help our customers more productive.
We also completed a huge program of winter maintenance and infrastructure upgrade works on the Main Northern and Main Southern channel siphons in the Macalister Irrigation District.
In the west, we’ve completed Stage 4 and Stage 5 modernisation works in the Werribee Irrigation District and Bacchus Marsh Irrigation District respectively. These works will improve service delivery, reduce evaporation and ensure are growers are more climate resilient.
We have worked hard to minimise disruption to our customers while working safely. We thank you for collaborating with us on this once in a generation modernisation program.
We look forward to completing Stage 5, the final stage, of works in Werribee next year.
For groundwater customers, we launched a new interactive map to help customers easily access groundwater management information in southern Victoria. This allows people to quickly locate their area of interest, work out which Groundwater Management Area they are in and click on it to access the relevant regulatory information and trade rules.
We also continue to support Traditional Owners access unallocated water and are proud to have returned 700 megalitres of groundwater and surface water to the Gunaikurnai Land and Water Aboriginal Corporation in Gippsland.
We’re replacing 162 mechanical meters in Bungaree with new pattern approved meters and aim to install 1,200 new meters statewide by June 2025. This will allow customers to track and manage their water more efficiently.
Next year, we’re looking forward to working with our customers, partners and the community on two big strategic projects vital to securing water supply in Werribee and unlocking more economic, environmental and culture benefits in Gippsland.
Meeting our future water needs is challenging as the impacts of a changing climate and growing population begin to bite. However, we’re confident by partnering with the right people, embracing technology, and making smart, evidence-based decisions we can deliver long-term sustainable water for all users.
We know this is a busy time for many of our customers and hope you get time to relax and enjoy the festive period with family and friends. We wish you a productive, happy and safe New Year and look forward to delivering more wins with you in 2024.