New recycled water scheme to secure supply for Cardinia Shire farmers
Construction is underway on South East Water’s Western Port Recycled Water Scheme, delivering up to 4,000 million litres of Class A recycled water each year to local farmers across Cardinia Shire.
Senator for Victoria, Lisa Darmanin and the Victorian Minister for Water, the Hon. Harriet Shing, helped mark the start of Stage 1a construction this week in Pakenham South, alongside South East Water and delivery partner Beca Fulton Hogan Interflow (BFHI) Joint Venture.
The scheme supports local food production and creates jobs by improving water availability for agriculture.
Using recycled water for irrigation reduces reliance on groundwater and local waterways. It also helps farmers adapt to a changing climate in one of Victoria’s key food-growing regions.
Work includes around 49 km of new recycled water pipeline, supplying farms in Pakenham South, Cora Lynn, Vervale, Catani, Iona, Garfield, Tynong and Bayles.
The project will support regional growth, with an estimated $104 million increase in gross regional output. It will also support more than 90 jobs across construction and agriculture.
The $113.2 million scheme is funded through a $66.6 million investment from South East Water, with $46.6 million from the Australian Government’s National Water Grid Fund.
Connected customers are expected to start receiving recycled water from 2028.
"Recycled water is a safe, sustainable choice that helps our customers save precious drinking water while strengthening the resilience of our whole community.
“We’re proud to be supporting our local farmers with a reliable source of water that will help increase the amount of fresh food and produce they can grow.”
– South East Water Managing Director, Carla Purcell
“BFHI is delighted to be working in partnership with South East Water to deliver a recycled water scheme which has a significant sustainable benefit for agricultural producers in the Western Port area.
“It’s a privilege to be involved in a project that creates local job opportunities and keeps our rural communities green.”
– Beca, Fulton Hogan, Interflow (BFHI) Joint Venture Program Director Utilities, Martin Sutherland
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Image 1 (L-R): Senator for Victoria, Lisa Darmanin; South East Water Managing Director, Carla Purcell; Member for Bass, Jordan Crugnale; Minister for Water, the Hon. Harriet Shing; Member for Pakenham, Emma Vulin; Beca, Fulton Hogan, Interflow (BFHI) Joint Venture Program Director Utilities, Martin Sutherland.
Image 2: Western Port farms are expected to start receiving recycled water from 2028.
Image 3: Around 49 km of purple pipe has officially started going underground.
Image 4: The scheme will supply farms in Pakenham South, Cora Lynn, Vervale, Catani, Iona, Garfield, Tynong and Bayles.
Image 5: South East Water and delivery partner Beca Fulton Hogan Interflow (BFHI) Joint Venture crews.