Community Benefits
While the key benefit of the Victorian Desalination Project is a rainfall independent water supply, there are a number of local and state-wide social and economic benefits that flow from a large construction project and guaranteed water supply.
Jobs and economy
The project is expected to create:
- up to 4750 full-time equivalent jobs during construction
- 150 full-time equivalent jobs during operation
- $1 billion economic boost to Victoria during construction
- Increased spending in local areas by the construction workforce.
Secure local water
Six offtake points along the 84km pipeline mean desalinated water can be delivered to local water authorities. The pipeline is two-way, which means local water authorities also have access to Melbourne water storages for the first time.
For further water security for South Gippsland Water customers, a separate $5 million pipeline will connect Wonthaggi, Inverloch and Cape Paterson to the desalination plant, securing the long-term water future of the region.
The towns’ main water supply will continue to be the Lance Creek storage system and South Gippsland Water will be able to take desalinated water if and when required, giving ongoing security of supply.
Road upgrades
The Environment Effects Statement identified some sections of road that could be improved to help manage traffic related to the project.
The Victorian Government committed up to $12 million to upgrade roads, reconstruct car parks and build roundabouts in the Wonthaggi area. These works go beyond that to include Webb Road, West Area Road and Graham Street improvements.
Fibre Optic Cable
Fibre optic cable will be installed with the power supply. The fibre optic cable will have the capacity to provide communications services to local communities subject to further development by State and Federal departments responsible for telecommunications and infrastructure development.
Ecological restoration
A major ecological restoration project will see the degraded farm land the plant is being built on be regenerated with about 4 million native plants and 150,000 trees to recreate the coastal environment. New dunes will be created and wetlands, woodlands and coastal heath will be established to provide habitat for native animals. Recreation paths will also be created for people to use.