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Community facilities | November 16, 2015

Improved water access for western Victorian farmers

The State Government has today announced new standpipes and firefighting tanks in Western Victoria following lobbying by The Nationals Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy.

Fourteen standpipes and nine firefighting tanks will be installed across Western Victoria.

“These standpipes and firefighting tanks will ease the burden for farmers forced to travel long distances to cart water for stock and domestic use and will help to protect our communities during the fire season,” Ms Kealy said.

“I have been lobbying the State Government to urgently improve access to water supplies for firefighting purposes and to support our drought-affected communities.

“Unfortunately the season has been worse than expected, with low rainfall coupled with unseasonably high temperatures devastating local crops and reducing water supplies on farms.

“I am pleased my lobbying has been heard by the State Government and that support is headed our way to improve water access for stock and domestic use and firefighting purposes.

“Farm businesses are the backbone of our country communities and by supporting them we are supporting everyone who lives and works in regional Victoria,” Ms Kealy said.

Standpipes will be installed in communities including Ararat, Stawell, Great Western, Edenhope, Apsley and Kaniva and firefighting tanks will be installed near existing standpipes along the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline.