Funding secured for major water saving project at Western Park

Published on 19 November 2020

Baw Baw Shire Council has secured a major funding boost to allow the region’s first large-scale stormwater harvesting project designed to irrigate the two ovals at Western Park in Warragul.

Following a successful grant application, $425,000 has been secured from the Victorian Government’s Integrated Water Management Co-Investment Fund. Council will contribute $172,000 towards the project and an additional $10,000 will be contributed by Gippsland Water.

The $607,000 project will deliver the infrastructure required to utilise the additional water collected in the Tarwin Street Wetland generated from the surrounding residential development. Water will be treated to a safe standard then used to irrigate the two sporting ovals at Western Park in Warragul.

The project has the potential to save 20 million litres of water, which can be returned to the potable water supply for Warragul and Drouin. In addition to benefiting the security of our water systems, utilising an alternative and cheaper source of water will also result in ongoing financial savings for Baw Baw Shire ratepayers.

This project will be delivered by Baw Baw Shire Council with the support of the Gippsland Integrated Water Management Forum, Gippsland Water and West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority.

The project is scheduled to be completed by July 2021.

The Western Park stormwater for irrigation project is the first major project of Baw Baw Shire Council’s Integrated Water Management Plan, adopted in December 2019.

Quotes attributable to Mayor Cr Danny Goss

“We’re pleased to partner with the Victorian Government and Gippsland Water to deliver this innovative and sustainable stormwater harvesting system. Not only will the project save water and help secure our local water supply, it will also save ratepayer funds in the long run.”

“We thank the Victorian Government and Gippsland Water for their vital funding contributions towards this project. We also thank Gippsland Integrated Water Management Forum and the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority for their support of this project.”