The Victorian Liberals and Nationals will partner with East Gippsland Water to bring a town sewerage system to Swift’s Creek if elected later this month.

Nationals Gippsland East MP, Tim Bull, said more people in country towns will be connected to town sewerage under the $40 million Small Towns Water and Sewerage Fund.

“Eligible water authorities will receive dollar-for-dollar funding to install town sewerage or potable water supplies in smaller communities and East Gippsland Water has already done preliminary work on Swift’s Creek, so we will be happy to partner with them under this scheme,” said Mr Bull.

“I would hope Labor would come to the party on this commitment too, but given they axed this scheme when they came to Government, there appears little hope of that. Perhaps when the local candidate is announced, they can lobby for this outcome,” he said.

Leader of The Nationals, Peter Walsh, said the fund will allow smaller communities to expand by the installation of water and sewage infrastructure.

“Our small towns are being held back by a lack of water and sewerage infrastructure,” Mr Walsh said.

“There is a significant number of towns close to major regional centres that do not have adequate infrastructure to support a growing community and Swift’s Creek is one of those.

“Adding potable water and sewerage infrastructure means these communities can grow with less of a cost to existing ratepayers.”

Wednesday, 2 November 2022