Water restrictions
$840m desal expansion tipped as Melbourne faces AI water drain
Rainfall shortages and thirsty data centres have the government looking for long-term answers.
- Daniella White and Kieran Rooney
Latest
These lakes were once so clean you could swim in them. Now they are fetid – and residents are being told to pay to fix them
Once swimmable, the Quiet Lakes are a “seething mass of blue-green algae” due to 30 years of Melbourne Water failures say residents who live by the toxic water.
- Adam Carey
Water warning as Melburnians put on alert for restrictions
Melbourne has recorded its biggest decline in water levels since the millennium drought, with the city advised there is now a chance of restrictions in 2026.
- Kieran Rooney
- Exclusive
- Water
Second desalination plant on the table as state responds to drought fears
The Victorian government is considering a second plant to secure the state’s water future in response to concerns about looming shortages.
- Kieran Rooney and Benjamin Preiss
Coal mines made to pay after years of free access to Sydney drinking water
The government said the new rules would help mines remain accountable, but the mines will still be able to decide the amount of water they take.
- Laura Chung
Billionaire dairy family who owned Leppington Triangle fined over water use
Brothers Tony and Ron Perich have agreed to remove a large dam from their property and pay a $425,000 penalty.
- Harriet Alexander
New riverkeeper loves the Yarra and is ready to fight for its future
Environmental activist Charlotte Sterrett has taken up a position that “ticks all the boxes” to be her ideal job.
- Carolyn Webb
‘Green drought’: water restrictions by December if dam levels fall further
While recent rain has given much of the south-east a lush appearance, it may not be enough to head off imminent water restrictions, as dam levels head towards 50 per cent capacity.
- Stuart Layt
Queensland water sector posts profits boost after 2011 flood payout $80m lower
The water sector’s profits have increased by more than $200 million while a payout to victims of the 2011 flood was less than anticipated.
- Felicity Caldwell
Water security going underground as CSIRO tackles rising drought risks
CSIRO is investigating underground water banking for inland towns in response to growing drought risks.
- Mike Foley