Victoria Minister for Water Peter Walsh

New Water Restrictions Released For Public Comment

Victor P Taffa

The Victorian Coalition Government has today released a new water restrictions regime for public comment.

Drafted by Melbourne’s metropolitan water businesses, the proposed regime comes after extensive consultation with community and water users.

Water Minister Peter Walsh said the changes were designed to lock in water saving behaviour adopted during the drought and establish consistency across the state.

“Before the election the Victorian Coalition Government promised to introduce a permanent water savings regime to ensure water is not wasted.” Mr. Walsh said.

“Victorians did a great job of saving water throughout the drought, but water restrictions need to be simplified. At present there is no consistency to permanent water savings rules across the state and changes between stages are complicated and difficult to communicate.”

Mr. Walsh asked the water retailers in March this year to put forward a set of clear and consistent guidelines around drought response and permanent water savings plans.

“The changes would require government to consider not just dam levels, but also weather and catchment conditions, trends in demand and the performance of the water supply system when considering water restriction levels.” Mr. Walsh said.

“Permanent savings rules would be simplified so that gardens and lawns can only be watered between 6pm and 10am.”

“Stage 1 would put the city on alert and use of automatic and manual watering systems would be limited to between 6am and 10am and 6pm and 10pm every second day.” Mr. Walsh said.

“Under Stage 2 customers would be asked to save water, with use of watering systems restricted to between the times of 6am and 8am and 6pm and 8pm every second day and watering of laws banned.”

“At Stage 3, when there is just enough water in the storages, watering systems and use of hoses, buckets and watering cans would be restricted to 6am and 8am every second day, while under Stage 4, or critical conditions, all outdoor watering would be banned.” Mr. Walsh said.

To view the proposed drought response and permanent water savings plans or make a submission go to www.letstalkwatermelbourne.com.au or contact your local water retailer.

Comments can be lodged until Monday November 14.