Regional Services Minister Catherine King today visited Snake Valley in central-west Victoria to reaffirm the government’s commitment to providing critical infrastructure improvements for communities in regional Australia.
The Minister opened the upgraded Snake Valley Sewerage Treatment Plant, funded through a $1 million Federal Government grant under the Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program.
Minister King said the project had provided a much-needed upgrade for the town facility and had created local employment opportunities.
“Construction has created jobs for more than 50 people as well as three plumbing jobs for the next six months,” Minister King said.
“Currently 115 houses are connected to the upgraded plant, which will increase to 180 over the coming years, meaning more jobs for local and regional tradespeople.”
The project included on-site works, a pipeline collection system to take water from households to the point of treatment, construction of treatment ponds and distribution of treated water for reuse.
Minister King said these facility upgrades would benefit the broader community as well as individual households.
“Improvements to the plant’s water treatment facility have created a more sustainable irrigation system that has practical benefits such as a reliable supply of recycled water to sporting clubs, which helps them to keep their grounds in good condition,” said Minister King.
Minister King said the project was a great example of government and community cooperation to deliver improvements for regional Australia, with the state government matching the Commonwealth’s $1 million grant, and the Pyrenees Shire Council and Snake Valley Residents contributing $655,000 and $100,000 respectively.