We have developed a Frequently Asked Questions document for customers and stakeholders to understand GWMWater's involvement in local mining projects.
Why do mining projects have an entitlement to water?
When GWMWater constructed the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline in 2005, the water savings generated 20GL of growth water. The Wimmera Glenelg Bulk Entitlement Order was subsequently adjusted to establish a specific product in the GWMWater holding. The business case for the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline identified viticulture, intensive agriculture and mining (mineral sands) as potential beneficiaries of that water.
GWMWater is committed to the prosperity of the communities we serve. We plan and manage the water supply system to balance the needs of urban, rural, agricultural and industrial customers.
Does GWMWater profit from providing water for mining projects?
The sale of growth water and the ongoing rates and charges to intensive users has helped deliver lower overall water charges to customers in the Grampians, Wimmera and Mallee. The additional revenue created through the utilisation of excess capacity in the water network will help fund future investments in water infrastructure in our region.
How will these mining projects impact future water security for customers/the region?
GWMWater’s Urban and Rural Water Strategy has modelled future scenarios over a 50 year planning horizon to assess the medium to long-term water security for urban and rural users under a range of water demand and climate scenarios that will influence water resource. GWMWater is investigating water augmentation solutions that may be required under the more extreme climate scenarios.
More information about future water security can be found at gwmwater.org.au/urws
Are there any other impacts on customers/the region?
All mineral sands mining operations have the same conditions applied to take up their allocations or entitlements as any other intensive user. These conditions are put in place to provide fair and equitable access to all GWMWater customers. This includes financial commitments to upgrade infrastructure, as well as on-site water storage requirements to maintain sufficient capacity in the rural pipeline system.
Intensive users taking up their water entitlements does not change the conditions or terms to water supply agreements we have with other customers. These are specified in our Rural Customer Charter.
