Victoria Grant (Millewa Pipelines) Act 1972

Legislation au C1972A00070 Not in force Act

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Victoria Grant (Millewa Pipelines)

No. 70 of 1972

An Act to grant Financial Assistance to the State of Victoria in connexion with the Construction of Pipelines and of certain Associated Works in the Millewa area in that State.

[Assented to 31 August 1972]

BE it enacted by the Queens Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, as follows:—

Short title.

1. This Act may be cited as the Victoria Grant (Millewa Pipelines) Act 1972.

Commencement.

2. This Act shall come into operation on the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.

Definition.

3. In this Act, the State means the State of Victoria.

Grant of financial assistance.

4.—(1.) Where, on or after the first day of July, One thousand nine hundred and seventy-two, expenditure has been, or is, incurred by the State in carrying out the works, and doing the other things, referred to in the Schedule to this Act, there are payable to the State, subject to this Act, by way of financial assistance, such amounts as the Treasurer from time to time determines to be necessary to reimburse the State in respect of that expenditure by the State.

(2.) The amounts paid to the State under this Act shall not exceed, in the aggregate, Two million dollars.

Power of Minister to vary description of work.

5. Where the State so requests, the Minister may, from time to time, by instrument in writing, direct that this Act have effect in relation to a work referred to in the Schedule to this Act as if the description in that Schedule of that work were varied in such manner as is specified in the instrument.

Provision relating to carrying out of works.

6. The State is not entitled to financial assistance under this Act in relation to expenditure by the State, whether incurred before or after the commencement of this Act, in carrying out a particular work—

(a) where the Minister has requested the State to furnish information in relation to the design or construction of the work—unless the State has duly furnished that information;

(b) unless the Minister is satisfied that the design and construction of the work are in accordance with the purposes for which the work was proposed by the State; and


(c) where the expenditure was incurred under a contract (being a contract entered into after the commencement of this Act) providing for the expenditure of more than Five hundred thousand dollars—unless the contract was entered into with the approval of the Minister.

Information to be furnished by State in relation to expenditure.

7. The State is not entitled to financial assistance under this Act in relation to particular expenditure by the State unless the State has furnished to the Treasurer—

(a) a statement in respect of that expenditure in accordance with a form approved by the Treasurer, accompanied by a certificate of the Auditor-General of the State certifying that the expenditure shown in the statement was incurred in carrying out works, or doing other things, referred to in the Schedule to this Act; and

(b) such further information, if any, as the Treasurer requires in respect of that expenditure.

Advances.

8. The Treasurer may, at such times as he thinks fit, make advances of such amounts as he thinks fit to the State on account of an amount that may become payable under this Act to the State.

Overpayments.

9. Payment to the State under this Act of any amount (including an advance) is subject to the condition that the State will repay to the Commonwealth, on demand by the Treasurer, the amount by which, at the time of the demand, the total of the amounts (including advances) paid to the State under this Act exceeds the total of the amounts that have become payable to the State under section 4 of this Act.

Appropriation.

10. Amounts payable to the State under this Act are payable out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, which is appropriated accordingly.

 

THE SCHEDULE Section 4.

MATTERS IN RESPECT OF WHICH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IS GRANTED

1. The construction of pipelines to carry water from Lake Cullulleraine or the storage tank referred to in paragraph 4 of this Schedule for supply to rural holdings in any of the following parishes in the State, being parishes in the Millewa area:—

Benetook

Mallanbool

Morkalla

Tunart

Willah

Karawinna

Malloren

Mullroo

Wallpolla

Woolwoola

Karween

Meringur

Murrnroong

Wargan

Yaramba

Koleya

Merrinee

Tarrango

Warrimoo

Yarrara

Kurnwill

Mildura

Tulillah

Werrimull

Yelta

2. The installation of such works as are required for the efficient operation of the pipelines referred to in the preceding paragraph of this Schedule.

3. The construction of a pumping station at Lake Cullulleraine and the carrying out of such works as are required to ensure the efficient functioning of the pumping station adjacent to the Murray River and commonly known as the Millewa A pumping station.

4. The construction of a storage tank capable of storing approximately 150 acre feet of water, about 8 miles south-west of Werrimull.

5. The carrying out of works incidental to any of the works referred to in the preceding paragraphs of this Schedule.

6. The acquisition of land that is required for the carrying out of any of the works referred to in the preceding paragraphs of this Schedule or may be affected by any of those works.

Overview

The Victoria Grant (Millewa Pipelines) Act 1972 was enacted to provide financial assistance to the State of Victoria for the construction of pipelines and associated works in the Millewa area. This Act was introduced to address the need for infrastructure development in the Millewa region, specifically focusing on water supply projects to support rural holdings. Enacted by the Parliament of Australia, the policy objective of the Act is to support the State of Victoria in executing critical infrastructure projects that would facilitate water supply to rural areas in the Millewa region. The financial assistance granted under this Act is intended to ensure the timely and effective completion of these projects, subject to certain conditions and oversight by the Commonwealth.

Scope and Application

The Victoria Grant (Millewa Pipelines) Act 1972 provides financial assistance to the State of Victoria for the construction of pipelines and associated works in the Millewa area. This Act applies specifically to the State of Victoria and its expenditure on projects outlined in the Schedule, which includes the construction of pipelines, installation of works for efficient pipeline operation, construction of a pumping station, building a storage tank, incidental works, and land acquisition. The financial assistance granted under this Act is limited to a maximum aggregate amount of two million dollars. The Minister for the relevant portfolio has the authority to modify the descriptions of works as per the Schedule upon request from the State, subject to the approval of the Minister. The Act also stipulates that financial assistance is contingent on the State providing necessary information and ensuring that the works align with the proposed purposes. Additionally, any contract involving expenditure exceeding five hundred thousand dollars must be approved by the Minister. The Act allows for the Treasurer to make advances to the State and requires the State to repay any overpayments upon the Treasurer’s demand.

Key Provisions

The Victoria Grant (Millewa Pipelines) Act 1972 (the "Act") provides financial assistance to the State of Victoria for specific projects in the Millewa area. The main operative sections of the Act detail what the financial assistance covers, the conditions under which the assistance is granted, and the limits on the amount of assistance. Section 4(1) specifies that financial assistance is payable to the State for expenditure incurred on or after 1 July 1972 in constructing pipelines, installing necessary works, building a pumping station, constructing a storage tank, carrying out incidental works, and acquiring land required for these projects. This assistance is subject to the approval of the Treasurer and is capped at a maximum of Two million dollars (section 4(2)). The Act imposes several obligations on the State of Victoria to qualify for financial assistance. The State must provide the Minister with information about the design and construction of the works, and the Minister must be satisfied that these are in line with the project's intended purposes (section 6(a) and (b)). Furthermore, any contract for works exceeding Five hundred thousand dollars must have the Minister's approval (section 6(c)). Additionally, the State must furnish detailed statements of expenditure to the Treasurer, accompanied by a certificate from the Auditor-General of the State, and any further information required by the Treasurer (section 7(a) and (b)). The Act also includes provisions regarding the payment of advances by the Treasurer and the requirement for the State to repay any overpayments on demand (sections 8 and 9). Financial assistance is to be paid out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund, which is appropriated accordingly (section 10). Failure to comply with the conditions for financial assistance or overpaying the State may lead to financial repercussions, including the obligation to repay the excess amount. While the Act does not explicitly state specific penalties for breaches, any failure to adhere to these provisions could potentially result in civil or administrative consequences under other relevant legislation.

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.