Funding Win for GWMWater – Water Infrastructure Upgrades 

What We’ve Achieved

GWMWater has secured $5 million in Australian Government funding through the National Water Grid Fund to fast track essential water infrastructure upgrades across north west Victoria. This investment enables four key sites; Nyah and Pental Island, to deliver cleaner, more reliable non drinking water to farming communities, small towns and regional industries.

Grantus supported GWMWater through the end to end development of a nationally competitive proposal. Our work ensured a clear strategic narrative, a robust benefits case and strong alignment with the National Water Grid Authority’s requirements. As a result, the project progressed from planning to funded delivery, unlocking upgrades years earlier than otherwise possible.

Funding Context

The National Water Grid Fund supports strategic investments that improve water security, efficiency and climate resilience across Australia. This proposal was a strong fit because it improves the reliability of non-drinking water for regional communities, mitigates blue-green algae and blackwater risks, strengthens agricultural productivity, and enhances the performance and flexibility of Victoria’s interconnected water grid.

Why It Matters

• Reliable, cleaner non drinking water for over 1,100 rural and urban customers across north west Victoria.
• Improved operational resilience during blue green algae and blackwater events.
• Increased agricultural productivity, supporting grain, livestock and horticultural production.
• Reduced energy consumption through more efficient pumping and solar supported operations.
• Better water quality for recreation areas and regional communities, improving health and liveability.

About the Project and Next Steps

The project will deliver new clarification and filtration infrastructure at four raw water offtake points. Works include Dissolved Air Flotation facilities, Granular Activated Carbon filtration, chemical dosing systems, sludge drying, solar-battery systems and remote telemetry.

Construction will be staged from 2025 to 2027, with upgrades delivering immediate improvements in water quality for rural customers, small towns and downstream drinking water systems. GWMWater will continue to engage landholders, communities and Traditional Owners as works progress.

Grantus’ Role

• Developed a nationally competitive submission to the National Water Grid Fund.
• Demonstrated clear alignment with climate resilience, productivity and public benefit criteria.
• Strengthened the economic and community benefits case, including cross regional impacts.
• Translated technical water infrastructure concepts into a compelling, fund ready narrative.
• Coordinated evidence, data inputs and supporting documentation to streamline assessment.