CENTRAL HIGHLANDS WATER

Central Highlands Water (CHW) Board has developed a Water Transmission Pilot under its new Water Transmission Policy in recognition of the ongoing drought and impact on local communities and business.

The Policy will allow limited amounts of water purchased on the water trade market to be transferred via the Superpipe and CHW’s infrastructure under the Pilot project.  Councils, community groups and eligible commercial customers who intend to purchase water on the trade market can apply to CHW to have their water purchases delivered through its infrastructure on a cost recovery basis.

The Pilot will be undertaken over the next nine months and will run during the consultation period for the Victorian Government’s “Inquiry into a State-Based Access Scheme for Water and Sewerage Infrastructure Services” which is being held in 2009.

John Barnes, CHW Board Chairman, said the Water Transmission Pilot was about helping to reduce the impacts of the ongoing drought and stepped climate change on the local community and business.

“We are very aware of the many environmental impacts of water shortages in our community and the potential that water trading may offer to sustain key community facilities and our local economy,” Mr Barnes said.

“We can offer eligible customers access to our water supply infrastructure to have their water delivered via either the Goulburn or other systems through the temporary water trading market,” he said.

Access to CHW infrastructure will be limited to 10% of pipeline capacity - half of which will be available for community assets via local government, and the other half for business. The Pilot will not impact adversely upon CHW’s ability to fill its storages and meet the requirements to supply demand under Stage Four restrictions.

Mr Barnes added that,”CHW’s Board has determined the capacity it is making available in the Superpipe for third parties will not affect supply for the Ballarat system; the Superpipe is delivering more than enough water to meet Stage 4 demands for this summer and autumn. The Board believes we have an obligation to allow third parties such as local councils and selected businesses to access the Superpipe and move water they have purchased to save valued community assets and boost the local economy.”

Community groups, councils and commercial customers must demonstrate the key social, environmental and economic benefits that the water trade may offer to be eligible for access to the Superpipe.

He said other requirements for temporary water trading would include the ability for CHW to deliver the water directly to the customer, and ensuring that the supply of water will have no impact on other residential and non-residential customers. 

Mr Barnes said all water trading will be on a full cost recovery basis which includes all costs incurred in pumping and the treatment of water to regulatory standards.

Councils and businesses who would like more information on the Water Transmission Pilot should contact Stephen Carter, CHW Customer Relations Officer on 5320 3123 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it