Southern Rural Water is building six new emergency bores to help bushfire affected communities in Nillumbik and Corangamite shires access water during crisis.
Drilling has started at the first bore site in Christmas Hills, with works also planned for sites in St Andrews, Strathewen, Bradvale, Derrinallum and Timboon.
Known as emergency water supply points (EWSPs), these new bores will be added to Victoria’s existing network of EWSPs. The new bores will supply communities with water for domestic and stock needs in severe drought and CFA firefighters during bushfires.
The Emergency Water Supply Points Project is being delivered by Southern Rural Water and funding has been made available through the Victorian Government Building Works Stimulus Package and the Australian Government’s National Water Grid Connections Pathway.
Southern Rural Water Managing Director Cameron FitzGerald said the project will help safeguard lives and livelihoods.
“It’s vital we bolster our emergency water infrastructure so we can better prepare for hotter, drier conditions as we brace for a return to El Nino weather,” Mr FitzGerald said.
“The bore locations have been selected based on groundwater information, suitability for construction, value for money and community need that’s informed by extensive engagement with the people they will serve.
“These bores will plug gaps identified in the EWSP network and give residents and emergency services increased access to water during difficult times,” Mr FitzGerald said.
Christmas Hills Fire Brigade Captain Mike Scroggie said securing a reliable water supply is essential for an effective response to fires and other emergencies.
“With very limited access to reticulated water in the Christmas Hills area, the new bore means we will always have an easily accessible and reliable source of firefighting water,” he said.
“This will ensure a quick and effective response to fires in our local area.”
The new bores are being built on Crown and council owned land and will supply unmetered water the community and emergency services can use only in extreme drought and extreme fire danger periods.
Drilling at all sites will be complete in September. Southern Rural Water will tender for the civil and mechanical installation works in October and aims to finish the project by the end of 2023.
Southern Rural Water has started preliminary investigations at several other bore sites in Victoria with a view to extending the EWSP network in Cardinia, Mitchell, Colac-Otway and South Gippsland shire areas.