From the Acting Minister for Water

Thursday, 1 April, 2010

WATER RESTRICTIONS EASED IN MELBOURNE FROM TOMORROW

Melbourne households will be able to water their gardens every second day from tomorrow, as the city moves from Stage 3a to Stage 3 water restrictions.

The easing of water restrictions will enable increased watering for councils for public gardens and result in more water for the Yarra, Thomson and Tarago rivers. Three in four sportsgrounds can also be watered.

Acting Water Minister Gavin Jennings said water supplies in Melbourne had turned the corner because of record investment by the Brumby Labor Government in major water projects, outstanding water-saving efforts by households and welcome rainfall.

"Victoria’s water supplies have turned the corner. Our Government’s unprecedented investment in diverse water projects is pulling Melburnians and regional Victorians away from severe water restrictions,” Mr Jennings said.

"The slight easing of water restrictions is conservative and will result in a moderate increase in water use but will provide a significant benefit to gardens and community sport.

"Around 260 towns across Victoria have had their restrictions eased since the start of last year which shows the benefits our investment in water projects are having right across the state.”

Melbourne Water has also released its monthly wrap, which shows a continued shortfall between rainfall and runoff that has prevented storage levels from rallying despite heavy storms.

While rainfall in the catchments was 38.5 per cent above average, the amount of water flowing into dams was just 4 per cent above average.

Rain helped reduce the overall decline in storage levels during March, which are now 34 per cent full, up from 29.1 per cent at the same time last year – an increase of almost 100 billion litres.

"It is far too premature to call the current drought over after 13 years. The wetter-than-average summer was a welcome relief but with storages a little over a third full it is clear Melbourne can not rely solely on dams,” Mr Jennings said.

"That’s why it’s vital to diversify our sources. With water now flowing down the Sugarloaf Pipeline and Tarago Reservoir re-connected, our storages are in a much better position to keep moving away from record lows.

"It is these major water projects and the desalination plant which are the roadmap back from severe water restrictions for Melbourne households.”

Mr Jennings today visited Veg Out Community Gardens in St Kilda to discuss the impact of more flexible watering on vegetable gardens with local gardeners.

"Growing your own vegetables is really positive and with more flexibility under Stage 3 restrictions I think veggie gardens will thrive across Melbourne,” he said.

Mr Jennings said the Government was providing 14,000 free trigger nozzles for garden hoses as part of an exchange for old twist nozzles.

"With more and more Victorians getting back out into their gardens, we are giving away free trigger nozzles to ensure people are following water restrictions and continuing to use water wisely in the garden," he said.

Stage 3 water restrictions are also in place in Bendigo, Ballarat and Geelong.

Mr Jennings said Target 155 would remain in place to encourage households to continue saving water.

"While we are providing more flexibility for Melburnians under Stage 3, conserving water, and using it a sustainable manner is still very important, so we will be encouraging everyone to keep to Target 155,” he said.

Under Stage 3 water restrictions:

Gardens

Lawns are not permitted to be watered.

A manual dripper system, hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, a watering can and a bucket can be used to water gardens between 6 am - 8 am every second day*

Automatic dripper systems may be used between midnight and 2 am every second day*

*Alternate dates - Even numbered properties can water gardens on even dates. Odd-numbered properties can water on odd dates. Households with someone over the age of 70, may water at the alternate time of 8 am-10 am. Odds and even properties can both water on the 31st of the month.

Sportsgrounds

Councils can water three in four sportsgrounds – effectively 50 per cent more water than under Stage 3a. Councils may choose how increased water is allocated to their sportsgrounds as part of a water conservation plan in consultation with their local water authority.

Washing Cars

No change from Stage 3a - cars can be washed at a commercial car wash. A bucket filled from a tap can be used to clean windows, mirrors and lights; and spot-remove corrosive substances.

For full details of water restrictions visit: http://www.ourwater.vic.gov.au

4.9% increase justifies taking off water restrictions? We're still only just over 1/3 capacity!

Just looked up some figures. At 2009 Melbourne usage rates, we have just under 3 years worth of water stored.

According to Melbourne Water, 3a saves 15% of water consumption, so dropping back to stage 3 will increase usage by 15%... which will drop that above figure to 2 and a half years, dead on. Is that really justified?

I suspect this is all being done to help Brumby in November, at the sacrifice of Victorian water security...

Its a Joke Its also an election year .