Water minister doesn’t rule out 50 billion litre desal expansion

Victoria’s Water Minister hasn't ruled out an expansion of the Wonthaggi desalination plant, telling the Sentinel-Times the government will consider the state’s long-term water requirements after receiving a water security report in 2027.

The Victorian Desalination Plant in Wonthaggi can produce up to 150 gigalitres, or 150 billion litres, of drinking water annually.

However, it was designed with expansion in mind, as it is capable of increasing its capacity to 200 gigalitres if required.

“At this moment in time, we have a Water Security Taskforce which will be reporting in March 2027, and we will be having a look at what the long-term water security needs for Victoria are,” Ms Settle said.

“We need to ask ourselves what the needs in the future are and what we can provide.”

The government’s Water Security Plan lists a potential 50-gigalitre expansion of the Wonthaggi plant among the options being investigated to address a range of issues, including declining rainfall, growing demand and population growth.

Some other possibilities include greater water efficiency, increased use of stormwater and recycled water, and potentially developing additional desalination capacity elsewhere.

No decision has yet been made about which projects will proceed.

The government has already placed its first maximum annual order with the Wonthaggi plant, requesting 150 gigalitres for the 2067-2027 supply year.

Delivery was brought forward and began on June 1, with the order scheduled to be completed by June 30, 2027.

It’s worth noting that the recent order from the Victorian Desalination Plant was for 150 gigalitres. It was the first full order we’ve had,” Ms Settle said.

Prior to this order, the previous largest orders were 125 gigalitres, which were placed in the 2019-20 supply year, the 2020-21 supply year and the 2021-22 supply year.

The plant had produced almost 529 gigalitres of drinking water before the current order began.

Ms Settle said Victoria needed to prepare its water network for the future.

“Many are aware of our changing climate, and we need to make sure we have the systems and capacity in place to deliver affordable and safe water for all Victorians,” she said.