EXCLUSIVE: MELBOURNE Water is preparing to pump 10,000 megalitres of Lake Eildon water down the controversial north-south pipeline next irrigation season, months ahead of schedule.
The decision comes amid revelations the city water corporation initially planned to pump 30,000 megalitres down the pipeline in early 2010.
A report prepared for the Essential Services Commission into Melbourne Water's expenditure states:"In its (original) water plan, Melbourne Water had assumed for modelling purposes the pipeline would transfer an average volume of 75,000 megalitres annually from 2010/11, following 30,000 megalitres in 2009/10 (February to June 2010)".
It is unclear from the report whether this meant pumping 105,000 megalitres down the pipe in the first year of operation, which is well above the Government's 75,000 annual cap on diversions to Melbourne.
A Melbourne Water spokesman said he was unable to explain where the ESC report gained its figures, referring The Weekly Times instead to the Department of Sustainability and Environment for an explanation.
A DSE source said it appeared "some idiot" had confused accumulated water savings with the actual volume being pumped down the pipe in the original water plan.
The report goes on to state Melbourne Water has revised the transfer volumes, which were originally overstated.
But the report indicates Melbourne Water still plans to pump water down the pipeline in 2009-10.
Victorian Water Minister Tim Holding yesterday said construction of the 70km Sugarloaf pipeline was running ahead of schedule meaning much needed water could flow to Melbourne several months earlier than originally expected.
Mr Holding said originally 75,000 megalitres was to come to Melbourne in 2010-11, however 10,000 megalitres "could be available in the first half of 2010" if the construction of the pipeline can be completed early.
The 10,000 megalitres is likely to be diverted from Lake Eildon's water quality reserve.