Melbourne Water’s new area - Services and the Waterways Charge
New areas of responsibility
Melbourne Water’s waterways and drainage boundary has been extended by more than 5000 square kilometres to cover the majority of the Port Phillip and Westernport catchments as part of the Victorian Government’s Our Water Our Future action plan.
This change aims to improve the health of rivers and creeks in areas where there was previously no waterways, drainage and flooding manager. The new arrangements will also result in better flood protection and regional drainage, improved river health and water quality.
Further information:
Waterways charge
For two years Melbourne Water has been working with a range of stakeholders in its extended boundary area to establish appropriate waterway management and drainage services.
To fund activities in the new boundary area, Melbourne Water has introduced a waterways charge which will be levied on approximately 160,000 properties in the area starting from July 2008. The waterways charge was ultimately set by the Essential Services Commission on 20 June, 2008 after consultation with the community.
This charge is similar to the service charge (previously referred to as the drainage rate) already in place in other areas of Melbourne Water's responsibility which funds the majority of Melbourne Water's waterway management, regional drainage and floodplain services.
Further information:
2008 Waterways Water Plan
The Melbourne Water Waterways Water Plan summarises the outcomes, activities and expenditures Melbourne Water proposes to deliver and the prices it proposes to charge for the next five years.
Further information:
Waterways Operating Charter
The Waterways Operating Charter establishes a blueprint for Melbourne Water's management of rivers, drainage and floodplains over the 2008/09 to 2012/13 Water Plan period. It sets out our responsibilities and priorities and supports the detailed financial and pricing information outlined in the 2008 Waterways Water Plan.
Draft Waterways Operating Charter (PDF, 3.95mb)
Summary – Waterways Operating Charter (PDF, 0.98mb)