VIRGINIA PIPELINE

In reply to the Hon. I.F. EVANS (Davenport) (7 February 2007).

The Hon. K.A. MAYWALD (Chaffey—Minister for the River Murray, Minister for Water Security, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Small Business, Minister Assisting the Minister for Industry and Trade): The state government has committed more than $2.5 million to extend the Virginia Pipeline Scheme, cementing Adelaide's position as Australia's leading capital city in recycling water.

The extension will provide an extra three billion litres a year of high quality treated wastewater through a 20 km pipeline network to horticulturists and market gardeners at Angle Vale.

The project will:

Contribute to increasing Adelaide's use of recycled water.

Reduce discharge of harmful nutrients into the Gulf St Vincent.

Reduce demand pressure on the region's over-allocated groundwater resources.

Contribute to reducing River Murray extractions.