Gippsland Water supports growth with major investments

Gippsland Water has invested in improving its infrastructure, reducing its carbon footprint and catering to future growth in the region, its 2019-20 annual report has revealed.

Managing director Sarah Cumming said the organisation’s focus for the year had been setting up the region with water and wastewater infrastructure to support future generations.

“This year, we started construction on the $55 million Drouin wastewater treatment plant upgrade, which will meet the needs of the town’s growing population until at least 2050.

“With our new interconnect pipeline in use, we can transport water in either direction between Moe and Warragul, providing greater security for customers in the west of our region.

Ms Cumming said the organisation also invested in improving services in the central and eastern regions of its service area.

“We completed a $1 million upgrade of one of the region’s most important economic infrastructure assets, replacing a key section of the Regional Outfall System at Flynn; made progress on a new $13.5 million outfall sewer pump station in Sale; upgraded our Newborough water basin, and completed a $2.9 million water main replacement in Mirboo North.”

Planting 92,000 plants at Dutson Downs was another highlight.

“We funded seven community projects, including installing water tanks and drinking fountains; and helped customers whose situation might have changed due to coronavirus (COVID-19),” Ms Cumming said.

“We’re proud to have been able to maintain service reliability and community involvement in a year that’s been especially challenging for many.

Gippsland Water’s annual report was tabled in state parliament recently and is available at www.gippswater.com.au/annual-reports