My adjournment matter this evening is for the Minister for Water. The action I
seek is for the minister to officially launch the small towns water quality
fund. The fund was announced in the 2007-08 budget and was allocated $20
million. The scheme follows on from the previous country towns water supply and
sewerage program which funded 52 projects and which has been fully allocated. I
believe the fund will enable cost-effective projects that will upgrade water and
wastewater facilities in small towns, improve environmental conditions and
better safeguard public health. The fund will support water corporations and
regional councils on a matched funding, dollar-for-dollar basis up to $1
million. I expect the small towns water quality fund will be relevant to a
number of towns in my own electorate of Western Victoria. I congratulate the government for
funding this scheme, and I call upon the minister to launch it.