The Victorian Government has given its support to a proposed recycled water pipeline, which would bring water to winemakers in the Coldstream and Gruyere area, to secure their water supply and help them produce more wine.
The Labor Government has submitted a business case to the Commonwealth under the National Water Infrastructure Development Fund and is awaiting the outcome of the assessment process.
The application outlines a strong case for the Commonwealth to invest $7.79 million, with the remainder of the project cost coming from local landholders in the region.
Minister for Water Lisa Neville and Member for Monbulk James Merlino have already met with growers and landholders in the Yarra Valley to discuss the $15.6m pipeline project.
“This project will provide water security to local growers, and help boost business, jobs and opportunities in the Yarra Valley,” Minister Neville said.
“We’re calling on the Commonwealth to commit to funding to provide the support the region needs to grow.”
The new water pipeline would supply 1,000 megalitres of recycled water from Yarra Valley Water’s treatment plant at Lilydale through a 46 kilometre pipeline to 50 growers, mainly strawberry farms and vineyards in the Coldstream district.
Merlino added: “The Yarra Valley produces some of the best wine in the world – this project will be a win for tourism, jobs and the local economy.”
There are 160 wineries in the region with the proposed pipeline project to benefit a number of well-renowned wineries.