The Victorian Government has introduced legislation before Parliament that it says will encourage the installation of separate water meters for multiple occupancy buildings.

State Minister for Water, Peter Walsh, said that debate on the Water Legislation Amendment Bill 2012 had started earlier this week.

Mr Walsh said the Government remained committed to encouraging the installation of separate water meters in unit complexes, apartment blocks and commercial properties to encourage efficiency and provide financial reward for people who reduce water use.

“This new legislation means water corporations can require the installation of a separate meter for each occupancy on a property and for each type of water service provided, when a property owner applies to connect to the works of a water corporation,” Mr Walsh said.

“The legislation will also encourage the retrofitting of separate water meters in older flats and apartment blocks where practicable and when there is agreement by property owners and water corporations.

Mr Walsh said the Water Legislation Amendment Bill 2012 also improves and simplifies the regulation of rural water entitlements and rural water services in Victoria.

“This bill also resolves issues faced by landholders that have a licence for multiple dams on the property. Previously these landholders were unable to subdivide the property and provide a valid licence for each dam.

“Now holders of single registration licences issued for multiple dams will be able to have the licence amended to provide individual licences for dams when they transfer a parcel of land or if they subdivide, with no additional licence cost,” Mr Walsh said.