From July 1, Western Water will be no more.

The body will merge with City West Water to become ‘Greater Western Water’.

The State Government said the new entity would help reduce water bills for the users and create jobs in Melbourne’s rapidly-growing western corridor.

“With population growth booming in the west, more infrastructure will be needed to swerve the growing community,” State Water Minister Lisa Neville said.  

“Without intervention, Western Water customers would see annual bills increase by $500 over the next 10 years,”

The merger will also see money handed over for a new Western Water office in Sunbury.

“Integrating the two water corporations will mean current Western Water customers not only avoid these price rises, but by 2029 their annual bills will be on average $160 cheaper than they are today,” she said.

“City West Water customers will also see savings of up to $110 on their annual bills, compared to now.

“The new entity will have the financial resources and staff to cope with the growth and demand for new water infrastructure in the region.”

The 1 July 2021 transition will be overseen by a committee with an independent chair, plus board members from WW and CWW.

Ms Neville said there would be no job losses among existing non-executive staff.

The Footscray office would be retained, as well as the Sunbury premises – which will get a $500,000 upgrade, as well as 50 extra staff over the next three years and a strong executive presence.

She also said communities served by WW would gain greater access to the metropolitan water system – including the desalination plant.

Greater Western Water will service a huge slab of Melbourne and central Victoria more than 100km across – including Lancefield to Richmond, Little River, Beremboke, Bacchus Marsh, Myrniong, Melton and Woodend.

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Gabrielle Hodson
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