A $160 million (approximately US$115 million) water infrastructure project has been announced to improve water efficiency and supply reliability in Bendigo and surrounding areas in Victoria, Australia.
The initiative, known as the Coliban Rural Water Efficiency Project, will modernise aging infrastructure within the Coliban Water rural supply network, which dates back to the 1870s. The system currently delivers up to 7,000 megalitres of water annually to around 1,300 customers, including households, farms, and small businesses. However, existing channels are estimated to lose 79 percent of water due to leaks and seepage.
The project is expected to reduce these losses, expand the use of recycled water, and improve reliability for irrigators and other users. It will also contribute approximately 4.6 gigalitres toward the 450 gigalitre water recovery target under the Murray–Darling Basin Plan, aimed at improving river health and environmental outcomes.
Funding includes $120 million from the Australian Government through the Resilient Rivers Water Infrastructure Program, with up to $40 million to be provided by Coliban Water.
In addition, 300 megalitres of water savings from the project will be returned to Traditional Owners for self-determined use, with any further savings allocated to urban water supply.
The project was identified through the Planning Our Basin Future Together Prospectus, developed with Basin communities by the Victorian Government. Across Australia, funding under the Resilient Rivers Water Infrastructure Program has now been fully allocated to 14 projects.
Government representatives said the investment aims to improve efficiency in water delivery systems while supporting regional growth and environmental outcomes.
