The opportunity
FoodSecure Melbourne is a proposed $350m market and community-led commercial project.
It is under formal consideration by the Victorian State government via Invest Victoria
If the project’s conditions precedent are approved by the State, it will move into a detailed final design and construction phase with growers.
The journey
The dream of quality, secure recycled water for Werribee and Balliang is not new.
But it needed hard, expert work to make it technically and commercially practical, fair to growers and accountable to government, community and environment.
That work has been pursued for over three years by global expert providers, leading Werribee growers and the State government.
Their shared goal is happy, climate secure and prosperous growing communities, in charge of their water and their farming future.
The dream is becoming reality. The Cooperative wants to work with all growers, project partners and government to make it happen.
Grower workshops
Grower workshops will begin in 2021 to ensure all growers have a say in system design and are comfortable with what is proposed to be delivered. Workshops will answer key questions such as:
- How will growers control their own water system?
- How will the Grower Cooperative work?
- How much better quality will the recycled supply be than today’s water?
- What guarantees are there around supply, quality and service levels?
- How much will the recycled water cost and on what terms?
- Can I be compensated for the river water licences I already hold?
- What guarantees ensure my crops are not put at risk?
- How much recycled water volume is available?
- Can I trade and lease water?
- How will the system be protected for the future?
Project MoU partners:
FoodSecure Melbourne Grower Cooperative – growers in charge of their future
Flinders Peak Water Pty Ltd – program origination, financing and delivery for the Cooperative
Veolia Australia – technical partner to Flinders Peak Water
The University of Melbourne – research and innovation partner to the growers
Coles Australia – supportive major food buyer with an interest in food security
H20X Water Market – online recycled water trading platform for the Grower Cooperative
Find out more
Contact the FoodSecure Melbourne Grower Cooperative Co-Chairs or the Flinders Peak Water Chair to find out more about this world-leading project:
Mr Michael Agosta – Co Chair, Grower Cooperative, Director, AAA Farms
M +61 (0) 407 569 998, E [email protected]
Mr Andrew Fragapane – Co Chair, Grower Cooperative, Director, Fragapane Farms
M +61 (0) 412 17 433, E [email protected]
Mr John Said, Chair, Flinders Peak Water, Director, Fresh Select (Aust) Pty Ltd
M +61 (0) 418 393 029, E [email protected]