In May 2017, the Victorian Government ordered 15 gigalitres of water (15 million m³) from the Victorian Desalination Plant for 2017/18, the set minimum amount. The order followed advice from Melbourne Water in consultation with the three metropolitan water retailers. Water Minister Lisa Neville said no one's water bills would rise because of it. The orders were funded from the sale of surplus Renewable Energy Certificates. In May 2017, Melbourne's storages were 105 GL lower than in May 2015.
The report showed a desalination plant used as a precaution to stabilise storage levels rather than only in a crisis. Funding through unused energy certificates kept the cost away from households.
Source: Utility Magazine