Thursday, 31 July 2025

Western Metropolitan Region

Moira DEEMING (Western Metropolitan) (12:48): (1706) My question is for the Minister for Water. Documents obtained by Greater Western Water through freedom of information show that over the past 16 months PFAS forever chemicals exceeded guideline levels in six raw-water reservoirs used to supply Melbourne’s western suburbs, with some detections representing over 80 per cent of current drinking water limits and in one case more than 13 times the proposed new safe level. Given our electorate’s rapid population expansion and continued housing pressures, residents require absolute confidence in the quality of their water supply. My question is: will the minister commit to publishing all PFAS monitoring results for reservoirs and treated drinking water in the Western Metropolitan Region and implementing enforceable drinking water standards aligned with the proposed National Health and Medical Research Council guidelines without delay?