Media Release

The Brumby Government is burying the fact that billions of litres of drinking water are being wasted in Greensborough while they double the price of water bills and demand Victorians cut their usage. A burst water supply main underneath Greensborough Highway was diverted into a nearby storm water drain in August 2007, and is still pumping hundreds of millions of litres of water into the drain, Kilsyth MP David Hodgett has revealed in parliament.

“In 2007 a leak was discovered in a major supply main under Greensborough Highway. Local residents said the water was gushing out of several holes in the road. Melbourne water were called in and the leak disappeared, but lets ask the Minister what really happened,” Mr Hodgett said.

“The truth is that the leak was hooked up to the nearby stormwater pipe that runs alongside the road. While thousands of Victorians have reined in their water usage, the Minister for Water has overseen this deceitful and devious operation that continues to see precious water being wasted.”

In the last sixteen months, it is estimated that over 1.2 BILLION litres of water has poured out of the 600 litres per second water main into the storm water drain. It has remained hidden, but for the cuts and indents still visible on the road from when the diverting pipe was installed. “This is a total disgrace. The water main was due to be replaced last winter, but deferred due to the procrastination of the Brumby Government,” Mr Hodgett said.

Only a week ago, the Minister for Water and Premier John Brumby announced plans to increase water prices by 96% before 2012, and set targets of 155 litres per day for this summer. The water currently being wasted per day is equal to the amount of water used by over 16 THOUSAND Victorians per day under the new system.

“The Minister is aware that this leak has been pumping away fresh water for 16 months and has not acted to fix it. He has let down all Victorians, and should do the honourable thing and resign,” Mr Hodgett said.