The Hon. Harriet Shing, Minister for Water (Vic), Media Release, 29 June 2026

We’re delivering desalinated water to boost Melbourne’s water supply ahead of schedule. 

Minister Shing announced that desalinated water is now flowing into Cardinia Reservoir, as Melbourne’s storage falls below 64 per cent – the lowest metropolitan storage levels in more than six years.

Bringing desalinated water online early means water can begin flowing as soon as possible.

Despite some recent rain, most water storages across the state have been trending down for over two years. 

Storages in Melbourne and Geelong have seen the steepest annual decline since the Millennium Drought.

Without a connection to Melbourne’s water supplies, which are bolstered by the Desalination Plant, Geelong water storages would be under 10 per cent full right now – with severe water restrictions. 

The Victorian Desalination Plant will produce 150 billion litres of water over the next year – the maximum order.

The plant has already delivered over half a trillion litres of drinking water and 27.9 per cent of Melbourne’s storage capacity since becoming operational – equivalent to filling the MCG 320 times or 202,000 Olympic swimming pools. 

The Desalination Plant helped prevent costly water restrictions across Melbourne, Geelong and parts of Gippsland.

Desalinated water does not depend on rainfall, making it an important part of Victoria’s long-term water strategy. 

Regular desalinated water orders are a normal part of Melbourne’s drinking water supply and support surrounding regions including parts of Gippsland, Phillip Island and Geelong.

Melbourne continues to have the lowest water prices of any Australian capital city.

The desalination plant was opposed by the Liberals every step of the way. Without it, right now our storages would be at critical levels, with costly water restrictions across Melbourne, Geelong and parts of Gippsland.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Water Harriet Shing

 “Only Labor invests in the infrastructure Victoria needs to keep safe, reliable, and affordable drinking water flowing into Victorian homes and businesses.”

“The Liberals opposition to the Desalination Plant never produced a drop of water for Victorian families.”

“The last thing our water system needs is climate change denying Liberals and their $40 billion cuts agenda.”