WERRIBEE vegetable growers have welcomed the recent announcement that they will have access to more water this summer, but with reservations.

Southern Rural Water has launched a drought relief measure for Werribee and Bacchus Marsh irrigators.

Both districts will have access to another 1000 megalitres of water this season, delivered through the cooperation of Western Water, City West Water, the Department of Sustainability and Environment and Melbourne Water.

The price for Werribee customers will be $483 per megalitre and for those in Bacchus Marsh it will be $513.

Nik Tsardakis, former president of the Ratepayers of Werribee South, said while the initiative was welcome, it was a “stop-gap measure”.

“It doesn’t help the long-term viability of the area,” he said.

“The $483 is a lot higher than the cost of river water we once had.

“We need a complete solution.

“We ask: will we have enough water and where will it come from?

“Farming is a 24/7 commitment, and a long-term commitment considering the outlay required on capital equipment.

“We need the State Government to guarantee the quantity and quality of water we need to continue farming into the future.”

There are about 160 farmers in Werribee South growing broccoli, cabbages and lettuces.

It’s Australia’s food-bowl for these crops, with the vegetables being sent around the country.

In making the water initiative announcement, Southern Rural Water’s general manager for water supply, Clinton Rodda, said traditionally the irrigators received their water from reservoirs at Pykes Creek and Melton.

“The water is diverted through weirs on the Werribee River and distributed through our channel and pipeline system to farms,” he said.

“The seasonal allocation began at 0 per cent this season and is currently only 5 per cent.

“We have been working with our customers and stakeholders on a range of alternative supplies and delivery options.”

The extra water will comprise 2000 megalitres from Southern Rural Water’s entitlement, a drought reserve, in the Thomson Reservoir.

It will be delivered through the Melbourne Water, Western Water and City West Water urban supply network, without impact on urban supply reliability, and will be provided on a cost recovery basis.

“We want to acknowledge the generous support of our Macalister customer consultative committee for this proposal to use the drought reserve to assist farmers in the West, who are desperate this season,” Mr Rodda said.

“This water will be available for Werribee irrigators over the difficult summer months.

“For those using recycled water, it will provide us with the ability to significantly increase the supply volume and reduce the salinity, providing great assistance to irrigators.”

The managing director of City West Water, Anne Barker, said the organisation was pleased to provide some relief to Werribee irrigators facing continued dry conditions.

“It is great news that we can provide a reliable supply without affecting our ability to supply our own customers,” she said.

The Member for Tarneit, Tim Pallas, welcomed the initiative.

“It’s a tough time for irrigators in Werribee and Bacchus Marsh and any effort to gain extra water is welcome in the current situation,” he said.

“I would like to personally thank all parties for their effort in obtaining this additional supply of water.”