WATER SUPPLY WORKS AND SERVICES BILL 1973.
EXPLANATORY M EM ORANDUM .
T his Bill is to give Parliam entary authority for the expenditure o f $31,500,000 for carrying ou t
works o f country w ater supply, drainage, sewerage, flood protection and river im provem ent, as set out
in the T ables to the clauses o f the Bill.
E xpenditure authorized in previous A cts and actual expenditure in recent years are set out
hereunder
$
1969
.
N o . 7908
..
30,000,000
Financial Y ear 1969-70
18,557,000
1970
.
N o . 8031
..
30,000,000
Financial Y ear 1970-71
17,459,000
1971
.
N o . 8215
..
30,000,000
Financial Y ear 1971-72
18,633,000
1972
1973
.
..
30,000,000
Financial Y ear 1972-73
17,990,430
Present Bill . .
31,500,000
A m ou n t A llotted 1973-74
19,240,000
N o . 8362
The full am oun t o f the provision for which authority is sou ght in the Bill will not be expended during
the current financial year, but Parliam entary authority is required so that investigations ma.y proceed, plans
may be prepared for im provem ents to tow n w ater supplies con trolled by local authorities, and w orks
already authorized m ay be continued or com m enced after the close o f the financial year prior to the
enactm ent o f the next W orks and Services Act.
C A P IT A L L IA B IL IT Y .
T he net capital liability debited to country w ater supply works and related w orks as at 30th June,
1973, w as $441,417,000.
O f this am ount, $335,859,000 is borne by the State o f V ictoria.
The rem ainder
($105,558,000), is borne by the follow in g
(а) W aterw orks Trusts and Local G overning B odies
42.304.000
(б) U rban D istricts controlled by the State Rivers and W ater Supply C om m ission
37.133.000
(c) Other C om m ission D istricts
..
((7) R iver Im provem ent and D rainage Trusts
(g) Latrobe V alley W ater and Sew erage Board
( / ) D an d en on g V alley A uthority
(g) C om m ission plant and m achinery, w orkshops, &c.
9.173.000
1.616.000
10,799,000
622,000
3,911,000
105,558,000
T he net capital liability o f w orks o f country sewerage authorities as at 30th June, 1973, was $20,185,000
o f w hich $9,717,000 is borne by the State.
The rem ainder, $10,468,000 is debited to the sewerage
authorities.
1 — [ 1 3 4 ] — 300 / 16 . 11 . 1973 .— 9554 .
In 1937, pursuant to the W ater A ct, N o . 4513, the capital liability was adjusted by transferring from
the direct debit o f districts to the " Capital Expenditure Borne by the State A ccou n t " such am oun ts o f the
capital liability for w orks as could n ot be borne by districts on the basis o f the existing rates and charges.
In 1944, legislation w as enacted con sequ en t upon w hich a further portion o f the capital liability was
transferred to the State.
It has since been the practice to charge all expenditure, as incurred on country
water supply w orks under the jurisdiction o f the C om m ission, to the State.
A uthority has been contained
in each subsequent Loan A ct and W orks and Services A ct and is con tinu ed in this Bill for the G overnor
in C ouncil on the recom m endation o f the M inister o f W ater Supply to transfer such p ortion o f the capital
liability from the State to the district having regard to developm ent.
A n am ount o f $2,761,000 representing
capital liability o f $289,000 in respect o f one W aterw orks D istrict, $365,000 in respect o f on e R ural D istrict
and $2,107,000 in respect o f 24 U rban D istricts w as so transferred during the financial year ended
30th June, 1973.
The clauses contained in the W ater Supply W orks and Services Bill 1973 are in accord
with this procedure.
N O T E S O N T H E T A B L E S.
CLAUSE
4 STATE W O RK S.
T he T able to this clause provides authority For the expenditure o f $18,750,000 on the construction
o f w orks, as set ou t under the respective item s o f the Table, under the direct control o f the State R ivers and
W ater Supply C om m ission.
The authority provides for the con tinu ation o f w orks on hand and for the
com m en cem ent o f con stru ction o f approved m ajor projects.
T he total o f $12,560,000 is planned for expenditure during the 1 9 7 3 -7 4 financial year under the terms
o f this clause.
D etails o f w orks to be undertaken under the item s o f the T able are provided below :—
Item .
1
D etails.
STATE W ORKS— STORAGES AND HSADWORKS.
P ro p o sed
E x p e n d itu re
d u rin g 1973-74
financial y ear.
P ro p o se d
P ro v isio n
in Bill.
$
$
Sub.
1
E p p a lo ck R eservoir P roject (C a m p a sp e C h an n els)
T h is project w as un d ertak en to en large and reconstruct the C am p asp e Irrigation
D istrict and w ork s h ave been carried o u t in a sso cia tio n w ith the d evelop m en t
p rogram m e o f the R ural F in a n ce and S ettlem en t C o m m issio n . O n ly m in or
w ork s rem ain to be com p leted a n d it is e x p e c te d th a t th e project w ill be finished
th is fin a n c ia l y ear.
75,000
90,000
2
R o ssly n n e R eservoir Project . .
T h is sch em e in v o lv es the co n stru ctio n o f a storage on J a ck so n 's C reek, a feeder
stre a m o f th e M a r ib y r n o n g R iv e r to p rovid e fo r u r b a n d evelop m en t at S u n b u ry
and areas north-w est o f the m etrop olis and to p rovid e a safegu ard for irrigation
by d iv e rsio n b elow th e d a m .
T h e d am em b an k m en t an d o u tle t tow er h ave been con stru cted an d su p p lies h ave
b een m a d e to th e S u n b u ry W a te r w o r k s T ru s t. O u ts ta n d in g w o rk s in c lu d e
c o m p le tio n o f th e sp illw ay, fen cin g, p erim eter access road a n d tre e planting.
T h e p ro je c t will be su b stan tially com p leted th is fin a n c ia l y ear.
850,000
500,000
D etails.
Proposed
Expenditure
d u rin g 197.1-74
financial year.
Proposed
P ro v isio n
in Bill.
S t a t e W o r k s — S t o r a g e s a n d H e a d w o r k s . — continued.
Sub-
O ther S torages and H ead w ork s
P ro v isio n is m ad e under this su b -item to m eet the cost oT im p ro v em en ts to be
carried o u t on storages, head w ork s and m ain ch an n els, in clu d in g cam p in g, p icn ic
an d recreation al facilities and con ven ien ces at storages.
T h e p rincipal projects for the present financial year in clu d e c o n tin u a tio n o f w orks
asso cia ted w ith the en largem en t o f T arago R eservoir and im p rovem en ts to the
W aranga W estern C h a n n e l.
O th e r w o rk s to be u n d e r ta k e n in c lu d e recon struction
o f the D im b o o la W eir, situ ated on the W im m era R iver and the b u ildin g o f a
structure on the B roken Creek at the ju n ction w ith M ajors C reek. T h e latter
p ro p o sa l is n ecessary to safeguard su p p lies to w ater users on M ajors C reek, by
regu lation o f d iversion o f w ater in to that stream .
T h is su b -ite m a lso p ro v id e s fo r th e co m p letio n o f th e L a k e M o k o a n P ro je c t, th e
T a n d a rra -C alivil Project and m in or w ork s associated w ith the first stage o f the
L a k e M errim u Project.
315.000
550,000
M illew a P ip elin es Project
T h is p ro je c t in v o lv es th e replacem ent o f th e present earthen c h a n n e l d is tr ib u tio n
sy ste m su p p ly in g stock a n d d o m e s tic n eed s through ou t th e M illew a W aterw orks
D is tr ic t by a n ew p ip elin e sc h em e ; g re a tly im p ro v e d distributary efficiency a n d
red u ction in w ater losses w ill result.
T h is sc h e m e w as initially fin an ced fro m W o rk s a n d S erv ices fu n d s, su p p lem en ted by
C o m m o n w e a lth
G r a n t R u r a l E m p lo y m e n t R e lie f fu n d s. A s fro m
th e
corn m en cem en t o f the financial year 1 9 72-73, the b alan ce o f the co st o f the
project, a p a r t fro m th e c o n n e c tio n s fro m th e m a in p ip e lin e s to th e d o m e s tic
h o ld in g tank s, h as been financed from a special C om m on w ealth G ran t and an
a m o u n t o f up to $ 2,000,000 will be m a d e a v a ila b le . E x p e n d itu re o f C o m m o n w e a lth
fu n d s a m o u n te d to $575,000 d u rin g 1972-73 a n d e s tim a te d e x p e n d itu re for 1 973-74
is $800,000.
T h e a u th o r ity so u g h t u n d e r th is su b -item is n e e d e d to m eet e x p e n d itu r e from
W o rk s a n d S ervices funds on co n n ectio n s b etw een m ain p ip elin es a n d d o m e s tic
h o ld in g tanks.
),000
100,000
L ak e M errim u P ro je ct S tag e 11
T h e first sta g e o f th e L a k e M e rrim u Project com p rised a d a m o n the C oim ad ai
C re e k a n d a tu n n e l to d iv e rt th e w a te rs o f G o o d m a n s C re e k in to the n ew sto ra g e .
T h is sch em e m akes availab le a reserve supply for the B acch u s M arsh and W erribee
I rr ig a tio n D is tric ts a n d p ro v id e s fo r ex p e c te d u r b a n a n d in d u s tria l d e v e lo p m e n t
in th e a re a im m ed iately west o f th e m e tro p o lis .
T h e secon d stage o f the Project w ill further su p p lem en t su p p lies to the storage.
T h e sch em e in volves the con stru ction o f a sm all d iversion w eir o n the Lerderderg
R iver and a tunnel ap p roxim ately tw o and a h a lf m iles lo n g b etw een the Lerderderg
R iv e r a n d G o o d m a n s C re e k . W o rk s a re estim ated to c o s t $ 4 .1 m illion a n d
tun n ellin g is p la n n e d to c o m m e n c e in M arch 1974.
130,000
850,000
T a ra g o -W estern p ort P ipeline
T h e accelerated urban grow th in the M orn in gton P eninsula D istrict and industrial
d ev elo p m en t in the W esternport area has m ade necessary th e con stru ction o f
a d d ition al co n v ey a n ce cap acity b etw een h ead w ork s an d the district. T h is is
b ein g ach iev ed by th e con stru ction o f a 42 in ch steel p ip e lin e betw een th e T a ra g o
R e se rv o ir a n d T y a b b .
T h e revised estim ated cost o f the project is $ 1 3 ,000,000. W ork s w ere com m en ced
u nder the au th ority o f Item 2 .3 o f th e T a b le to S ectio n 4 o f the p reviou s W ork s
an d Services A c t and exp en d itu re to the en d o f last financial year am ou n ted to
$ 1 ,3 6 0 ,0 0 0 . A c o n tr a c t h a s b een e n te re d in to fo r a n a m o u n t o f o v e r $4 m illion
fo r th e su p p ly o f ste el p ip es fo r th e p ro je c t.
3,475,000
5,0 0 0 ,0 0 0
4 ,925,000
7,090,000
T o ta l Ite m 1
Item .
P ro p o se d
E x p e n d itu re
d u rin g 1973-74
financial year.
Proposed
Provision
in Bill.
2,4 0 0 ,0 0 0
(1,500,000)
(2.000.000)
(900,000)
(1,400,000)
OTHER STATE W ORKS
Sub-
(а) G o u lb u m M urray W ork s
M ajor W ork s C entres located at R och ester and T atu ra are currently carrying ou t
an exten sive con stru ction p rogram m e in the G ou lb u rn M urray Irrigation D istrict.
A u th o rity is sou gh t for the c o n tin u a tio n o f this p rogram m e w h ich in volves the
en largem en t and rem od elling o f m ain irrigation ch an n els and other distributary
w ork s to en ab le full use to be m ad e o f a d d ition al w ater m ade availab le for
irrigation fo llo w in g co m p letio n o f m ajor storages.
T h e co m p reh en sive p rogram m e o f ch an n el and structure rem od ellin g carried ou t
under the au th ority o f this su b -item , togeth er w ith im proved m ain ten an ce and
better training and su p ervision o f w ater d istrib u tion staff, h ave greatly increased
the efficiency o f w ater deliveries over the past d ecad e. T h e q u an tity o f w ater
delivered to land as a p ercen tage o f w ater su p p lied at h ead w ork s in respect o f
the G o u lb urn M urray Irrigation D istrict rose from 5 0 .8 % in 1962-63 to 7 2 .5 % in
1972-73.
Severe d rou gh t co n d itio n s were en cou n tered during the 1972-73 irrigation season
w hich resulted in unpreced en ted d em an d s for irrigation su p p lies. B y 31st
D ecem b er, 1972, su p p lies delivered by the C o m m issio n to the G ou lb u rn M urray
Irrigation D istrict w ere 40% higher than in an y p reviou s irrigation season . T h e
strain o n reserves w as su b stan tially alleviated w ith the o n set o f h eavy rains in
th e late Sum m er a n d th r o u g h th e A u tu m n . A ll m ajor irrig a tio n sto ra g e s h a v e
su b s e q u e n tly filled, w h ich h a s e n a b le d th e C o m m issio n to m a k e a n e a rly
an n o u n cem en t o f a w ater sales a llo ca tio n o f 50% o f w ater right for the 1 973-74
irrigation season in the G ou lb u rn M urray Irrigation D istrict.
C o n tin u in g efforts are b ein g m ad e to a v o id salin ity p rob lem s and to m aintain
the efficiency o f irrigation p ractices. T h e a m o u n t o f $ 1 ,500,000 bud geted for
ex p en d itu re in 1 9 7 3 -7 4 therefore in clu d es ap p roxim ately $870 ,0 0 0 for exp en d itu re
on drainage w ork s. T h is la tte r su m in c lu d e s $40,000 fo r th e in s ta lla tio n o f
grou n d -w ater p u m p s in th e M urray V alley a n d T o n g a la -K y a b ra m areas to c o n tro l
rising w ater tables and guard again st salin ity prob lem s.
(б) Irrigation and W ater S u p ply D istricts
A u th o rity is sou gh t for the con stru ction by D istrict C entres o f w ater su p p ly and
drainage w ork s to serve Irrigation D istricts and the U rb an D istricts therein.
T h e a m o u n t o f $900,000 p ro v id e d fo r exp en d itu re in 1 9 7 3 -7 4 in c lu d e s $ 5 8 0 ,0 0 0
for exp en d itu re on irrigation and drainage w ork s in the G ou lb u rn M urray
Irrigation D istrict.
D ra in a g e w o rk s to be c a rrie d o u t by D is tric t C entres in th e G o u lb u r n M u rra y
Irrigation D istrict a re estim ated to c o s t $125,000 in th e 1 9 7 3 -7 4 fin an cial y e a r ;
th is sum in c lu d e s $61,000 w h ich w ill be sp e n t o n th e S w an H ill F la ts D r a in a g e
S ch em e. A p p roxim ately $39,000 will be sp e n t o n d ra in a g e con stru ction in C e n tra l
G ip p s la n d d u rin g th e c u r re n t fin an cial y ear.
D u r in g 1 9 7 3 -7 4 w ork s w ill be c o n tin u e d in th e M a lle e Irr ig a tio n D is tric ts o n th e
re p la c e m e n t o f o p e n c h a n n e ls w ith p ip elin es to in c re a se th e efficiency o f
o p era tion s through the red u ction o f w ater losses by evap oration an d seep age.
T h e estim ated exp en d itu re o f W ork s and S ervices fun d s o n the rep lacem en t o f
ch a n n els w ith p ip elines is $208,000, com p risin g $45,000 in the T resco Irrigation
D is tric t, $40,000 in th e M erbein Irr ig a tio n D istrict, $60,000 in th e N y a h
Irrigation D istrict and $ 63,000 in the R ed C liffs Irrigation D istrict.
In a d d itio n to th e W o rk s a n d S ervices fun d s bein g e x p e n d e d in Irrigation D istric ts,
con sid erab le su m s are a lso b ein g sp en t from th e Irrigation D istricts M ain ten an ce
E q u a liz a tio n a n d R e n e w a ls A c c o u n t, often re fe rre d to as th e I .D .M .E .R .
A cco u n t. T h is accou n t, w h ich w as estab lish ed in 1959 by an am en d m en t to
th e W ater A ct, e n a b le s c a s h su rp lu se s a risin g fro m th e fin a n c ia l op eration o f an
Irrigation D is tr ic t to be r e tu rn e d to th e D is tr ic t to m eet th e c o s t o f accrued
m a in te n a n c e a n d th e re n e w a l o f irrigation a n d d ra in a g e structures.
3,400,000
Details.
Proposed
E x p e n d itu re
d u rin g 1973-74
financial year.
P ro p o se d
P ro v isio n
in Bill.
OTHER STATE W O RK S.— C O M /m /W
Item
I.D .M .E .R .. A /c . Funds are used for such w ork s as the rem od ellin g and en largin g
o f ch a n n els, the replacem ent o f bridges and other structures and th e rep lacem en t
and repair o f residential acco m m o d a tio n and variou s item s subject to w ear and
tear in the op eration o f an Irrigation D istrict.
R isin g co sts w h ich h ave n ot been m atched by co rresp on d in g increases in revenue
have co n tin u ed to adversely affect increases in I.D .M .E .R . A /c . funds. O p erations
w ere su c h during 1972-73 th a t surpluses availab le for paym ent in to th e I .D .M .E .R .
A / c . again arose o n ly in respect o f the G ou lb u rn M urray, C a m p a sp e and
M acalister Irrigation D istricts.
E xp en d iture o f I .D .M .E .R . A /c . funds in the G ou lb u rn M urray Irrigation D istrict
a m o u n ted to $756,000 in 1971-72, $979,519 in 1 972-73 and $ 1 ,0 75,000 is planned
to be sp en t in 1973-74.
C o lib a n S y stem
T h e p ro v isio n under this su b -item is sou gh t for im p rovem en ts, en largem en ts and
ex ten sio n s o f w ater su p p ly ch an n els and m ain s and reticu lation w orks.
600,000
800,000
1, 600,000
2 ,500,000
T h e principal project to be undertaken in the present financial year is the
c o n tin u a tio n o f the con stru ction o f a new su p p ly m ain from C ru soe R eservoir to
S p ecim en H ill R e se rv o ir. T h is sc h em e is required to su p p ly th e low level a re a s
in th e northern part o f B en d ig o . T h e rev ised e s tim a te d c o s t o f the project,
in c lu d in g th e c o n s tru c tio n o f a new o u tle t a t th e C ru soe R eservoir, is $ 1,100,000.
E stim ated exp en d itu re on the schem e during 197 3 -7 4 is $185,000.
O th e r p rojects to be u n d e r ta k e n th is fin a n c ia l y e a r in c lu d e th e con stru ction o f a
p u m p s ta tio n , ta n k a n d ch lorin ation u n it to im p ro v e water q u a lity and p re ss u re s
w ith in th e T o w n s h ip o f M a ro n g .
A n e s tim a te d a m o u n t o f $40,000 will be sp e n t during 197 3 -7 4 for the com m en cem en t
o f th e d u p lic a tio n o f th e su p p ly m a in to the E a g le h a w k a r e a to im p rove supply
p re ssu re s. A n ew su p p ly m ain w ill a ls o be con stru cted fro m th e B ig H ill
R eservoir to se rv e industrial a n d u r b a n d e v e lo p m e n t in the B ig H ill a re a .
E xpenditure on th is la tte r sc h em e is e x p ected to a m o u n t to $50,000 th is fin an cial
year.
T h e su m o f $150,000 has been a llo c a te d for r e tic u la tio n e x te n s io n s a n d re p la c e m e n ts
d u rin g 19 7 3-74.
M o rn in g to n P e n in su la S ystem
C o n tin u e d u rb a n a n d industrial d evelop m en t h a s re su lte d in a r a p id in c re a se in
d e m a n d fo r w ater in th e a re a serv ed by th e M o rn in g to n P e n in s u la S y stem .
A
m a jo r p r o g ra m m e o f in stallation , en largem en t a n d ex ten sio n o f m a in su p p ly
w ork s, p ip elin es a n d re tic u la tio n m a in s will be u n d e r ta k e n d u r in g th e c u r re n t
fin an cial year to m eet this in c re a se d d e m a n d .
S ch em es to b e im p le m e n te d in c lu d e th e e x p e n d itu re o f $ 2 3 0,000 o n im p rovem en ts
to th e W e s te rn o u tle t o f th e B e aco n sfield R e se rv o ir a n d th e s u p p ly o f pipes fo r
th e u n dergrounding o f th e B e rw ic k - H a lla m a q u e d u c t w h ich com p rises p a r t o f a
p r o p o s e d n ew w a te r su p p ly sc h em e for th e B e rw ick C orridor, e s tim a te d to cost
S3 m illio n .
T h e C o m m is sio n w ill u n d e r ta k e a sc h em e to s u p p ly new residential d e v e lo p m e n t
in th e C a rr u m D o w n s a re a . W o rk s a re estim ated to c o s t SI m illio n , to w a rd s
w h ich su b d iv id e rs will be required to m a k e a s u b s ta n tia l c o n tr ib u tio n .
R eticu la tio n w o rk s w ill be c a rrie d o u t to se rv e a new H o u s in g C o m m is sio n estate
at H a s tin g s. W ork s a n d S ervices f u n d s e s tim a te d a t $40,000 w ill be e x p e n d e d in
1 973-74..
T h e su m o f $165,000 h a s b een in clu d ed in th e w o rk s p r o g ra m m e for 1 973-74 f o r
th e re p la c e m e n t o f th e s y p h o n a c ro s s D ia m o n d C re e k w h ic h fo rm s p a r t o f th e
r a c e c o n v e y in g w a te r fro m th e B u n y ip R iv e r to B e aco n sfield .
■
liem.
Proposed
E x p e n d itu re
d u rin g 1973-74
financial year.
D etails.
Proposed
Provision
in Bill.
OTHER STATE W O R K S.— C 0/7//M /W .
S^b-
A b ooster pu m p w ill be in stalled on the M o rn in g to n P ip elin e d u rin g the present
financial year, w h ich , togeth er w ith recently co m p leted n ew w ork s at the
M orn in gton R eservoir, will result in an im proved su p p ly situ a tio n in the M t.
E liza, M orn in gton and M t. M artha areas d uring the h igh su m m er d em and
period.
T h e C o m m ission p ro p o ses to co m m e n c e eq u ip p in g a n ew o p era tio n s cen tre w ithin
the F ran k ston O fhcc to im prove the efficien cy o f w ater d istrib u tion and cu stom er
service. P rovision h as been m ad e for the in stallation o f rad io and telem eterin g
eq u ip m en t d uring 1 9 7 3 -7 4 as part o f this project.
G eneral reticu lation ex ten sio n s to m eet norm al h o u sin g d ev elo p m en t d uring the
financial year are estim ated to co st $370,000.
B ellarine P en in su la S ystem
..
A u th o rity is sou gh t to en large and exten d the existin g d istrib u tion and reticu lation
system s, in clu d in g th e m etering o f su p p lies.
T h e m ajor project for 1 9 7 3 -7 4 is a sch em e to im prove su p p ly to the B arw on H ead s
area, w hich in volves the layin g o f a n ew 18 inch p ip elin e from O cean G ro v e to
replace the existin g w o o d en p ipeline.
E stim ated exp en d itu re for 1 9 7 3 -7 4 is
$ 110,000.
T h e a m o u n t o f $64,000 has been inclu d ed in the current w ork s p rogram m e for the
in sta lla tion o f a new p rotective co a tin g system for the C lifton Springs and
St. L eonards tanks.
290.000
480,000
1,000,000
1,350,000
W aterw ork s D istricts, G en erally
W o rk s for w h ich au th ority is sou gh t in clu d e the ex ten sio n and en largem en t o f
ch an n els and p ip elines, the con stru ction o f urban storages and im p rovem en ts to
u r b a n a n d r u ra l s u p p ly w o rk s w ith in W aterw ork s D istric ts , p rin c ip a lly in th e
ex ten siv e W im m era -M a llee S y stem .
T h is s u b -ite m a ls o p ro v id e s for f u rth e r w o rk s o n th e r e tic u la tio n sy stem s in th e
W o n th a g g i a n d N e w s te a d U r b a n D istric ts.
2 70,000
500,000
F lo o d P rotection D istric ts
A p p ro v a l is required for
im provem en ts to flood
P ro te c tio n D istric t.
100,000
150,000
780,000
1,000,000
O tw ay System
T h is su b -item provid es for the en largem en t o f h ead w ork s and im p rovem en ts to
storages, service basin s and d istrib u tary and reticu lation w ork s, in clu d in g the
m etering o f sup p lies.
T h e m ajor p ortion o f the 1 9 7 3 -7 4 a llo ca tio n w ill be sp en t o n the S ou th O tw ay
P roject w h ich w ill su p p lem en t su p p lies to tow n s served by the O tw ay S ystem ,
in clu d in g W a r r n a m b o o l.
T h is financial year, it is planned that the S ou th O tw ay P ip elin e be fu lly o p eration al
to w ith in ten m iles o f A lla n s fo rd .
O ther w o rk s p rop osed for 197 3 -7 4 in clu d e the in stallation o f a p ilot w ater treatm ent
plant at the S ou th O tw ay P um p in g S tation to stu d y the processes required for the
treatm ent o f w ater in th e S ou th O tw a y S y stem .
C o m m en cem en t w ill a lso be m ad e d uring 197 3 -7 4 o n a schem e, estim ated to cost
$ 150,000, to im p rove su p p ly pressures in the T o w n sh ip o f S im p son . R ural
reticu lation w o rk s in th e S o u th C am p erd ow n a r e a w ill a lso be p u t in h a n d d u rin g
the current financial year.
rep lacem en ts o f bridges an d
p rotection w o rk s w ithin th e
other structures and
K o o - W e e - R u p F lo o d
S u rv e y s, In v e stig a tio n s, D e sig n s a n d R e se a rc h
A u th o rity is n eed ed for exp en d itu re o n su rveys, d esign s, in vestigation s and
h y d ro lo g ic a l stu d ie s in c o n n e c tio n w ith f u rth e r projects ; fo r th e c o m p ila tio n o f
d a ta in r e sp e c t o f th e w a te r re so u rc e s o f th e S ta te o f V ic to ria ; fo r c o m p u te r
u sa g e in v e s tig a tio n a n d in v e s tig a tio n a n d e n g in e e rin g re se a rc h g en erally .
Proposed
E x p e n d itu re
d u rin g 1973-74
D etails.
Rntincial year.
Proposed
P ro v isio n
in Bill.
O THER STATE W O RK S.— C0/7///7WP(/.
S ubitem .
W o r k s G e n e ra lly — W o rk s h o p s , S to re sh e d s, A d m in is tra tiv e a n d o th e r b u ild in g s
T h is su b -item provid es Tor the purchase, acq u isition , erection , en largem en t,
ex ten sio n , rem od elling, alteration a n d im provem en t o f a n d a d d itio n s to
a d m in istrative b u ildin gs, w ork sh op s and storesh ed s, buildings for testing and
research p u rp oses and other buildings. A lso included is the eq u ip p in g, htting,
furnish ing and all other exp en ses incidental to the transfer to and estab lish m en t
o f su ch buildings.
505.000
1,100,000
Principal projects to be com m en ced d u rin g 1 973-74 in c lu d e the exten sion o f the
C o m m is s io n ’s H e a d O ffice b u ild in g in M e lb o u rn e w h ic h is estim ated to c o st a
to ta l o f $ 1 ,1 00,000 w ith an e x p e n d itu re o f $150,000 in the c u r re n t fin an cial y ear.
T h e se ex ten sion s a re re q u ire d to a llev iate a cco m m o d a tio n p rob lem s w h ich h a v e
arisen w ithin the present building.
T h e p rogram m e for the present financial year a lso in clu d es an a m o u n t o f $200,000
for the ex ten sio n o f the C o m m issio n ’s H ead O ffice L ab oratory. T h e existin g
facilities h a v e p ro v e d in a d e q u a te fo r th e increased work lo a d w h ich h a s a rise n in
recent years, m ainly as a re su lt o f a d d itio n a l testings arising fro m the C o m m is s io n ’s
role as a g en t for the E n viron m en t P rotection A u th ority and the exp an sion o f the
C o m m issio n ’s urban reticu lation supply system s.
W o rk s h a v e com m en ced on this project w hich is estim ated to cost a
$330,000.
total o f
JO
P riv a te D iv e r s io n s — M e te r I n s ta lla tio n s
T h e S ta te R iv e rs a n d W a te r S u p p ly C o m m issio n h a s e m b a rk e d upon a p r o g ra m m e
o f in stallin g w ater m eters to record and co n trol u sage o f w ater by private
d iv e rte rs lo c a te d o u ts id e d istric t b o u n d a rie s . T h ese m easures h a v e re su lte d in
g re a tly im proved re g u la tio n o f su p p lies used by th ese d iv e rte rs.
40.0 0 0
100,000
11
Im p act S tu d ies and E n viron m en t Surveys
T h is is a n ew su b -ite m w h ich h a s been in se rte d to e n a b le th e C o m m issio n to
u ndertake a p rogram m e o f en viron m en tal surveys o f existin g w ork s and im pact
stu d ie s in r e la tio n to fu tu re projects. T h e o b je c tiv e o f th e stu d ies is to m inim ise
th e d a n g e rs to th e e n v iro n m e n t a n d e c o lo g ical system s w h ich can result from
m ajor c o n s tru c tio n p ro je c ts. T h e in vestigation s will be c a rrie d o u t in c o - o p e r a tio n
w ith th e n ew ly estab lish ed M in is try o f C o n s e rv a tio n a n d o th e r b o d ies c o n c e rn e d
w ith e n v iro n m e n ta l problem s.
20,000
180,000
12
G r o u n d w a te r M e te r I n s ta lla tio n s
T h is is a n ew s u b -ite m u n d e r w h ich a u th o r ity is s o u g h t fo r e x p e n d itu re o n th e
m etering o f g r o u n d w a te r su p p lie s e x tra c te d u n d e r licences issu ed b y th e S ta te
R iv e rs a n d W a te r S u p p ly C o m m is sio n in accord an ce w ith th e p rovision s o f th e
G ro u n d w a ter A c t 1969.
30,000
100,000
7,6 3 5 ,0 0 0
11,660,000
12,560,000
18,750,000
T h e m etering o f su p p lies is necessary to ob tain d etails o f q u an tities extracted,
co n tro l o f u sage in the even t o f a restriction being im p osed and for the
a sse ssm e n t o f g r o u n d w a te r resources a n d w a te r use re q u ire m e n ts .
T o ta l Item 2
GRAND TOTAL STATE W ORKS
CLAUSE 5 PLAT\)T AND M ACH INERY.
T he am ount o f $200,000 included in the T able to clause 5 oT the Bill is required to cover the cost
o f purchase o f m ovable plant and m achinery by the State R ivers and W ater Supply C om m ission for use on
construction and m aintenance w orks.
$150,000 has been allocated for expenditure in 1973-74.
Item.
I
D escrip iio n
of
W o rk s
P urch ase or A cq u isitio n o f M o v a b le P lan t and M achinery
P lant purchased under this p rovision w ill be op erated on w ork s at hire rates sufficient to
p ro v id e for interest on cap ital a cco u n t, red em p tion , m ain ten an ce, an d ad eq u ate
d ep recia tio n to renew the p lan t w hen n ecessary.
CLAUSES 6 TO
P ro p o se d
E x p e n d itu re
during 1973-74
fin an cial y ear.
$
150,000
P ro p o sed
P rovision
in Bill.
$
200,000
10 WATERW ORKS TRUSTS.
T he am oun t o f $6,070,000 included in the T ables to clauses 6 to 10 represents p rovision for expenditure
to at least 73 locally con trolled centres on investigations, im provem ents and extension s o f the respective
tow n w ater supply system s.
T he am ou n t o f actual expenditure on planned w ork s p roposed during 1973-74 by these authorities
is $2,850,000.
In no case d oes the Treasurer o f V ictoria ad vance a loan to a w aterw orks trust or local
governing b od y until the proposal has been exam ined by the State R ivers and W ater Supply C om m ission.
A t 30th June, 1973, 205 local authorities had been form ed to serve 312 cities and tow n s, representing a
capital ou tlay o f $70,288,000.
W ith the object o f assisting local urban authorities to establish and extend local w ater supply w orks,
the G overn or in C ouncil is authorized, on the recom m endation o f the M inister o f W ater Supply, to determ ine
w hat part o f the am oun t advanced shall be transferred from the debit o f the respective authorities to the State,
the am oun t to be transferred being determ ined in accordance w ith a form ula applying generally to country
tow n supplies.
A feature o f the expenditure on w orks o f water supply by local authorities has been the con tinu ed
increase in the private borrow ing program m e by these authorities to augm ent the am oun t o f governm ent
m oney being provided.
In 1966-67 the am oun t o f private borrow ing so obtained w as $68,000 and this has increased to
$1,992,000 in 1972-73.
It is expected that private borrow ing for 1973-74 w ill be around $2 m illion.
P rivate borrow ing d oes n ot increase the interest rates to be m et by local authorities as the G overnm ent
m eets all costs in excess o f 3 p e r cent, p e r a n n u m .
Seven new tow n supplies constructed by local authorities began operating during the past financial
year.
T hese tow n s w ere A rchies Creek, B riagolon g, C orinella, D a ly sto n , G heringhap, D errinallum and
N ew m erella.
In addition to these tow n s construction com m enced on new schem es for G ellibrand, M o y sto n
a n d V e n tn o r.
O ne new Trust w as con stituted to construct and m anage new supplies to R o k ew o o d , C orindhap,
D ereel, N a p o l e o n s and L ittle H a r d Hills.
W ater treatm ent plants are being installed at Y arraw onga, M affra, M irb oo N o rth , W ood en d , B oort
and M orw ell.
In addition approval has been given for new filtration plants to serve M urchison and T oora.
T o m eet the increased d evelopm en t occurring at W od onga, the W od on ga W aterw orks Trust
com m en ced the con stru ction o f a 32 m l (7 M .G .) capacity storage. A 750 m m (30 inch) diam eter steel
pipeline is being installed from this new storage into the city to m eet the peak dem ands for w ater during
th e s u m m e r m o n th s .
k is expected that far m ore extensive works w ill be required to m eet future d evelopm en t in the area
when the A lb u ry -W o d o n g a regional com p lex is realised.
D u rin g the year the M elton W aterw orks Trust com pleted a p um ping station and 600 m m (24 inch)
diam eter steel m ain to enable w ater to be pum ped from the C om m ission's Lake M errim u to the Trust's
treatm ent plant.
T his w ill ensure adequate w ater for the future d evelopm ent in the tow n w hich at the
present tim e is d evelopin g at the rate o f 700 houses per annum .
T he 21 authorities listed in the Table to clause 9 are those with new w ater supplies w here
construction has com m enced or has been authorized to com m ence, and w here, in addition to the assistance
provided by w ay o f interest subsidies and capital grants under the form ula already m entioned, special
additional assistance w ill be provided to ensure that the rate in each case need not be greater than 17 5 cents
in the dollar o f net annual valuation.
This additional assistance w ill be provided by deferring p ortion o f
an authority's loan liability.
The am ount o f liability to be charged to the " C apital E xpenditure Borne
by the State A c c o u n t " in each case will be determ ined by the G overn or in C ouncil on the
recom m endation o f the M inister o f W ater Supply.
The am ounts o f deferred liability w ill be reviewed each
year and adjusted by the G overn or in C ouncil for each authority as developm ent occurs and enables the
authority to carry a larger proportion o f its loan liability w ith the m axim um rate.
P rovision is m ade w ithin Item 22 o f the Table to clause 9 for new tow n supplies w hich m ight be
approved for either existing or proposed authorities.
T he am ount o f $20,000 included in the T able to clause 10 o f the Bill represents provision for advances
to be m ade to the G eelon g W aterworks and Sewerage Trust tow ards the cost o f w ork s to supply and reticulate
the tow nship o f Lara.
A m ou nts so advanced shall be charged to the " C apital Expenditure Borne by the
State A ccou n t " in each year and shall not be debited to the Trust.
CLAUSE 11 SEWERAGE AUTHORITIES.
T he am oun t o f $1,500,000 included in the Table to clause 11 o f the Bill represents p rovision for
advances tow ards the cost o f sewerage w orks o f at least seven authorities in country centres.
The am ount
for actual expenditure during 1973-74 on planned w orks by these authorities is $900,000.
W ith the object o f assisting sewerage authorities to establish and extend country sewerage w orks,
the G overnor in C ouncil is authorized on the recom m endation o f the M inister o f W ater Supply to determ ine
w hat part o f the am ount advanced shall be transferred from the debit o f the respective sew erage authorities
to the State, and in these cases also, the am ount so transferred is determ ined in accordance w ith a form ula
having general application throughout the State.
The am ount o f $900,000 provided to sewerage authorities for 1973-74 will be applied principally as
interest free grants.
In addition to these G overnm ent G rants, which this year are expected to form only a portion o f the
actual expenditure by sewerage authorities, a program m e o f private borrow ing am oun ting to $12,500,000
has been approved.
Since 1943, the G overnm ent has paid subsidies to sew erage authorities in respect ol
interest charges in excess o f 3 per cent, per annum .
The actual subsidy paid on b eh alf o f sewerage authorities
in 1972-73 w as $2,235,182 and this annual subsidy is increasing by approxim ately $300,000 each year.
T otal interest subsidy paym ents since 1943 to sewerage authorities n o w am oun t to $14,488,534 o f w hich
$14,288,534 have been paid since 1955.
T w o new Sewerage A uthorities w ere constituted during the year at E d en hop e and Inverloch:
The num ber o f country sewerage authorities is now 111, in addition to the G eelon g W aterworks and
Sew erage Trust and the Latrobe V alley W ater and Sew erage Board.
A ll these authorities operate under
the general supervision o f the C om m ission, w hich itself operates the E ildon system .
Seven new sewerage schem es, those o f A nglesea, A p o llo Bay, Barw on H eads, Beaufort, N ath alia.
N u m u rk a h a n d W onthqggi were brought in to operation over the p ast.tw elve m oqths. C onstruction o f new
schem es began at H astings, H eyw ood , K ilm ore, M erbein, R obinvale and Servicptoh.
9554 / 7 3 . - 2
10
A pproval was given during the year to the M o o ro o p n a Sew erage A uthority constructing additional
w orks in order to receive w astes from a local fruit cannery into its system .
A t W angaratta, construction
com m enced on a plant to receive the trade w astes from tw o textile factories.
T he G eelon g W aterworks and Sew erage Trust began w orks on sew ering H o u sin g C om m ission Estates
at W hittington and N orth C orio and further areas w ithin the Trust's district w ere provided w ith a reticulated
sewerage system .
CLAUSE
12 RjVER IMPROVEMENT TRU STS.
The am oun t o f 51,150,000 included in the T able to clause 12 o f the Bill is required to im plem ent
the provisions o f the
v4c/ 1958 w hich em pow ers the Treasurer o f V ictoria to m ake
advances by w ay o f loan to river im provem ent and drainage authorities for the purposes o f undertaking
river im provem ent and land drainage w orks.
Thirty Trusts are n ow operating, and others are proposed!
N o advance is m ade for the purpose o f river im provem ent until each p rop osal has been exam ined by the
C om m ission.
The allocation o f funds for reim bursem ent o f actual expenditure during 1973-74 on planned
w orks by these authorities is $660,000.
In view o f the national im portance o f these w orks, the G overn or in C ouncil is authorized on the
recom m endation o f the M inister o f W ater Supply, to determ ine w hat part o f the am ounts advanced shall be
transferred from the debit o f any local authority to the State.
R iver Im provem ent Trusts have been form ed to carry out w orks to provide m axim um w aterw ays in
stream s consistent w ith natural con d ition s and to alleviate flooding, to arrest erosion o f valuable river frontage
bordering farm properties or public utilities, to reduce the siltation o f reservoirs, to preserve w ildlife and to
safeguard recreational areas.
The allocation for 1973-74 includes $60,000 to be applied tow ards the restoration o f flood dam age
in som e Trust districts and a special project allocation o f $50,000 provided to the Tarwin R iver Im provem ent
Trust for m ajor w orks on the Tarw in River.
CLAUSE
13 D A N D E N O N G VALLEY AUTHO RITY.
T h e am ount o f $250,000 included in the T ab le to clause 13 o f the Bill represen ts the p rov ision fo r
grants to the D an d en o n g V alley A uthority in respect o f river im provem ent and drainage w orks.
T he A uthority's w orks are financed by private borrow ings and grants, the G overnm ent having agreed
to p ro vide $200,000 in 1973-74.
T h e basis o f subsidies tow ards river im p r o v e m e n t a n d drainage w o rk s a n d
tow ards the purchase o f land required for flood retention basins has been approved by the G overnm ent.
A pproval has been granted for private borrow ing by the A uthority am oun ting to $600,000 for 1973-74.
T he A uthority con tinu ed , under the general supervision o f the C om m ission, its program m e o f stream
rem odelling on the Eum em m erring, M ile, Blind, D a n d en o n g , Ferny, Ferntree G ully and K a n a n o o k Creeks
during the year.
W orks also continued on the construction o f drains through out the D a n d en o n g Creek
catch m en t.
A dd itional lands were purchased for Hood retarding basins and construction w ork proceeded
on several o f these.
C onstruction w orks were also carried out on sub-catchm ent schem es, in w hich landow ners share the
•cost w ith the A uthority.
Further contributory drainage schem es w ill com m en ce to enable h ousin g and
industrial d evelopm en t to continue.
T he A u th ority’s total capital w orks program m e for 1973-74 is estim ated to cost in the vicinity o f
$1,538,000.
11
CLAUSE
14 LATROBE VALLEY W ORKS.
T he am oun t o f $500,000 included in the Table to clause 14 o f the Bill represents provision for
expenditure by the L atrobe V alley W ater and Sewerage Board on w orks pursuant to the provisions o f the
/tc / 1958.
T he am ou n t o f $100,000 under Item 1 is required for extensions to the w ater supply system .
U n d er
Item 2, a further $400,000 is provided to continue w orks for the treatm ent and disposal o f w aste and sewage.
The am oun t o f $150,000 has been provided for these purposes in 1973-74.
CLAUSE
15 R lV ER M U R R A Y W O RK S.
T he am oun t o f $2,650,000 included in the Table to clause 15 o f the Bill represents p rovision for the
contribution by the State o f V ictoria tow ards the cost o f w orks constructed under agreem ents ratified by the
River M urray W aters A cts.
T he R iver Murray A greem ent prescribes that the contracting G overnm ents
shall each contribute one-fourth o f the total aggregate capital expenditure.
A s the R iver M u r r a y W o r k s are national w orks, the am ount o f the S tate contribution will be c h a r g e d
to the " C apital E xpenditure Borne by the State A ccoun t
T h e a m o u n t o f $1,800,000 included in Item 1 is req u ired as a u t h o rity for con trib ution s by the S tate
o f V ictoria tow ards the cost o f the D artm outh D am Project.
Legislation authorizing w ork to start on the D artm outh D a m Project has been join tly proclaim ed
by the States and the C om m onw ealth.
U nd er the terms o f the L egislation, the costs o f the schem e w ill be
shared equally betw een South A ustralia, V ictoria, N ew South W ales and the C om m on w ealth.
H ow ever,
o n e h a lf o f th e S ta te s’ contribution will be met from a special loan from the C om m on w ealth w ith repaym ents
co m m en cin g at the expiry o f ten years from the date o f paym ent by the C om m on w ealth.
T h e W o r k s a n d Services P r o g r a m m e for the 1973-74 financial y ear includes $950,000 as pro visio n
fo r contributions, exclusive o f p a y m e n ts from C om m onw ealth special loan funds, to the R iver M u r r a y
C om m ission tow ards the cost o f the project.
The approval sought in the Bill does not provide for any
paym ents out o f C om m onw ealth special loan funds.
The dam , on the M itta M itta R iver in north-eastern V ictoria, is estim ated to co st $64 m illion and w ill be
constructed for the River M urray C om m ission by the State Rivers and W ater Supply C om m ission o f Victoria,
w ith the Snow y M ou n tain s Engineering C orporation acting as design con su ltants for the C om m ission.
T he D artm ou th D a m , estim ated to be com pleted in the 1977-78 financial year, will im pound a storage
3 7 m illion m egalitres w hen full and will supply each o f the States with additional water for irrigation and
tow n supplies, including w ater for A delaide.
P rovision is being included in the project for hydro-electric pow er developm ent by the State Electricity
C om m ission o f V ictoria, w hich proposes to install a single turbine and alternator o f 100 m w capacity.
The construction o f the project will be carried out m ostly by contract, how ever, som e sections o f
the schem e w ill be undertaken by the State R ivers and W ater Supply C om m ission using day labour forces.
W orks carried out by the State R ivers and W ater Supply C om m ission to date include the construction o f
the access road to the N ew D artm ou th T ow nship, establishm ent o f a major part o f the accom m od ation
facilities and installation o f w ater supply and sewerage w orks to serve the tow nship.
The State Rivers and
W ater Supply C om m ission has also undertaken the preparation o f the diversion tunnel and access tunnel
portals.
T w o m ajor contracts will be let for the construction o f the dam . T he first contract was let in M ay,
1973 to Thiess Bros. Pty. Ltd. for the diversion tunnel, intake shaft valve cham ber and access tunnel.
The
tunnel through which the river w ill be diverted whilst the dam is being constructed, will later serve as a low
level outlet for the dam .
It is planned that the second m ajor contract for the em bankm ent, spillw ay, high level tunnel and other
w orks w ill be let in M ay, 1974.
12
The sum o f 5850,000 has been included in Item 2 o f the T able for w orks, other than the D artm outh
D am Project, tow ards w hich the State o f V ictoria is required to contribute under the R iver Murray
A greem ents.
Expenditure during 1973-74 is estim ated at S550,000.
CLAUSE
16 RO YAL S H O W EXHIBIT.
The am ount o f $30,000 included in the T able to clause 16 o f the Bill represents p rovision for the
cost o f an exhibit at the R oyal A gricultural S how grounds, M elbourne, for the purpose o f preparing and
providing inform ation relating to the proper utilization o f w ater as applied to agriculture and the rural
eco n o m y o f the State o f V ictoria.
A m ou nts so expended shall be charged to the " C apital Expenditure Borne by the State A c c o u n t" .
The am ount o f $20,000 has been provided for these purposes in 1973-74.
CLAUSE 17 M ELBOURNE A N D M ETROPOLITAN BO A R D OF W O RK S.
W ater supply and sew erage reticulation in the W erribee area has until recently been the responsibility
o f the W erribee Shire C ouncil and the W erribee Sew erage A uthority respectively.
R apid popu lation
growth w hich has occurred in recent years in the W erribee area has brought ab out the need for a large scale
capital w orks program m e to expand the existing w ater and sew erage system s.
Investigations indicated that these w orks cou ld best be carried out if the responsibility for water
supply and sew erage in the W erribee area w as transferred to the M elbourne and M etrop olitan B oard o f
W orks.
T he Board accepted these p rop osals subject to certain co n d itio n s and this transfer b ecam e e le c tiv e
as on 1st O ctober, 1972.
T he M elb ourne and M etrop olitan B oard o f W orks has n ow em barked upon new w orks estim ated to
cost $1,738,000 for the enlargem ent o f the w ater supply system and $1,995,000 for the augm entation o f
sew erage facilities.
T he transfer o f responsibility to the Board for w ater supply and sew erage at W erribee w as m ade on
the basis that the Board w ould be given financial assistance equivalent to that w hich w ould have been given
had the w orks been carried out by the W erribee Shire C ouncil and the W erribee Sew erage A uthority.
A pp lication o f the F orm ula, applying generally to country tow n supplies, to the w ater supply w ork s
to be carried out by the B oard entitles the Board to a F orm ula G rant o f $869,000 tow ards the co st o f the w orks.
T he authority o f $400,000 sou ght in the Bill is required to m eet portion o f this paym ent.
A n am oun t
o f $250,000 has been provided in the W orks and Services P rogram m e for advances to the Board as F orm ula
G rant during the financial year 1973-74.
In ad dition , it has been agreed that the Board receive special capital grants o f $502,000 in respect o f
the w ater supply w orks and $882,000 in respect o f the sew erage w orks in lieu o f the annual subsidies available
to lo cal authorities operating under the W ater A ct or Sew erage D istricts A ct, for interest in excess o f 3
per cent, paid on privately raised loans.
B y A u th o rity :
C . H . R ix o n , G o v ern m en t P rin ter, M elb o u rn e.