Tackling Climate

Managing our Water

Victoria has just experienced the worst year of drought in our history.

In 2003 we put in place a long term plan for water – Our Water Our Future. As a result we have implemented the most successful water saving
campaign in Australia.
"$4.9 billion will be spent over the next five years in major water
infrastructure projects"
Victorians have responded magnificently. Farmers have become more water efficient and businesses and households have jointly reduced their
water use by 22 per cent. However saving water isn’t enough. We need to increase our water supplies.

This will be funded through increased water charges and budget funding. $4.9 billion will be spent over the next five years in major water infrastructure projects to boost Victoria’s water supplies. We will build Australia’s largest desalination plant. We’ll also modernise irrigation systems in northern Victoria to capture lost water for farms, stressed rivers and Melbourne water users.

These projects will increase Melbourne’s water supply by 225 billion litres from the end of 2011 – a 50 per cent increase. Climate change and drought are big challenges. Having a secure water supply will enable Victoria’s business and community to continue to grow.

Environment and Sustainability

Since 1999, the State Labor Government has been working to protect our unique natural environment, to preserve it for future generations and help create jobs and economic prosperity.

In 2006, the Government launched its $200 million environmental sustainability action statement: Our Environment, Our Future – a package of 150 initiatives to help put our water and energy consumption on a sustainable basis, reduce waste and combat greenhouse gas emissions that lead to climate change.

Key initiatives in Our Environment, Our Future include:

Introducing a Victorian Renewable Energy Target which will require electricity retailers to purchase 10 per cent of their power from renewable
sources such as wind and solar by 2016;

Legislation to enable a ban of lightweight plastic bags, unless retailers charge a minimum fee of 10 cents per bag, from 1 January 2009;
A legislated ban on dams in 18 heritage rivers in Victoria;

Twelve new recycling centres across Victoria to enable more Victorians to safely dispose of potentially harmful materials; and

An industrial scheme to help the State’s 250 biggest energy and waste users reduce their impact on the environment.

"In 2006, the Government launched its $200 million environmental sustainability action statement"
Victoria is one of the few jurisdictions in the world to have a Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability reporting on government performance in environmental management. We are also a world leader in the development of sustainable energy, with some of the biggest wind farms in Australia.

The State Labor Government has created more National Parks than any other Victorian Government – our 13 Marine National Parks and 11 Marine Sanctuaries were the first of their kind in the world. We have established a single Great Otway National Park as well as the Point Nepean and Box Ironbark National Parks.

We have removed grazing from the unique Alpine National Park and announced additional funding of $49.4 million over six years to renew and repair Victorian park assets such as roads and walking tracks. The 2006-07 Budget provided funding for three new major metropolitan parks at Craigieburn, Melton and Werribee and to upgrade Point Gellibrand.

The recommendations of the 2003 Victorian Bushfire Inquiry are being implemented, with around $195 million in new funding allocated so far. An additional 55 permanent DSE firefighters were employed in October 2006 along with a further 216 seasonal fire fighters for the peak season.

We have reduced logging in the Otways by 25 per cent and ensured a sustainable timber industry by reducing logging by over 30 per cent across the State and ending woodchipping in the Wombat Forest. VicForests has been established to manage logging operations on a commercial and environmentally sustainable basis.

Melbourne’s green wedge areas are now protected by legislation and growth areas are identified for housing development. Through Melbourne 2030, growth will be managed and Melbourne’s liveability protected.

We have also introduced 5-star energy and water efficiency standards for new homes built in Victoria.