A plan for safe and sustainable water supplies

Tuesday, February 22nd, 2022

South Gippsland Water would like to thank the many customers and communities who shared their ideas and time with us to create our draft Urban Water Strategy.

The Urban Water Strategy is a regional plan to deliver quality, sustainable water and wastewater services for the next 50 years.

Community contributions have been invaluable in its development, particularly those of the South Gippsland Water Community Advisory Committee who provided clear advice on what our community values.

South Gippsland Water Managing Director Philippe du Plessis said the organisation had finished examining all feedback received, and alongside independent climate change modelling and infrastructure planning, had prepared a draft Urban Water Strategy for further feedback.

“As a region we’re facing significant challenges. Our climate is warming and there will be less water available for creeks, rivers and our dams. Changes in the weather may also impact our wastewater systems,” he said.

“We’ve a growing population and have to look now at how we might provide sustainable and affordable water and wastewater services into the future.”

“We believe this draft reflects the views of our customers, finding that balance between security of supply and customer affordability. As we’ve learned over the last three years it’s also important to be adaptive to respond to any challenges we face in the future.”

We’d love community feedback on the draft strategy and any further thoughts or ideas they may have. Working together with the community to secure our region’s future is a priority for us as a business, and we need your help to do that.”

Key findings of the draft Urban Water Strategy include:

• Of our eight water systems, one needs short term action to address water security issues, Ruby Creek, in Leongatha. The solutions may include alternative water sources or interconnection between existing systems.
• Lance Creek, our biggest system servicing about 63 per cent of our customers, is secure today, but we’re planning for the future by using the security of the state water grid.
• Wonthaggi Wastewater System needs continued upgrades to keep up with the growing population and provide for the future. We started upgrading this system two years ago and will continue in a staged manner.
• Foster Wastewater Treatment Plant needs upgrading, to better protect our environment and maximise reuse opportunities.

To read our draft Urban Water Strategy go to www.sgwater.com.au/haveyoursay . If you wish to comment on the strategy, or provide a submission, you can do so via email media@sgwater.com.au .