The Nationals in government is providing a further $22.3 million for the development of business cases for eight water infrastructure projects, including for Victoria, that will help secure Australia’s water future.
Nationals Senator for Victoria, Bridget McKenzie, welcomed the investment in two regional-based projects – the Coliban Regional Rural Modernisation and Sunbury-Bulla-Keilor Agricultural Rejuvenation projects.
“This funding commitment is great news for local communities, agricultural water users and the construction industry here in regional Victoria,” she said.
“These two water infrastructure projects are important for long-term and sustainable water access, and will directly benefit Bendigo and the Sunbury-Bulla-Keilor regions.
“We’re investing in these business cases through the 2021–22 Budget to take them through to construction.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said these business cases will inform more investment in new water infrastructure as part of the National Water Grid investment pipeline.
“We have already committed more than $1.5 billion to over 20 water infrastructure projects with a total construction value in excess of $2.6 billion. Of these, eight have already been completed,” he said.
“The Australian Government is delivering the water infrastructure that forms the National Water Grid as part of our $3.5 billion investment to secure Australia’s water future.
“By investing in business cases we are demonstrating our commitment to supporting Australia’s regional economies over the long term and strengthening our 10-year rolling program of priority water infrastructure investments.
“The development of robust business cases is an important step to support and inform evidence-based investment decisions, as we look to identify and build the dams, weirs, pipelines, water recycling plants and other projects that will form the National Water Grid.
“Good planning leads to good delivery.”
For further information, visit www.nationalwatergrid.gov.au.