He called for the State Government to consider alternatives to pumping water from the north, as the North-South pipelne nears completion.

Mr Broad's proposal is based on a water pipe running from the Western Treatment Plant in Werribee to the Eastern Treatment Plant in Bangholme.

The pipe, he said, could run parallel to the city’s Ring Road with the potential to feed a dual water system

across a significant part of suburban Melbourne, especially new development areas.

“As we approach this year’s State Election it’s time to stop talking about taking water from country people and

start talking about real alternatives to increase Melbourne’s water efficiency,” Mr Broad said.

“If as a state we are serious about taking water from productive agriculture to flush suburban toilets and water

Melbourne’s gardens, we should be just as serious about infrastructure alternatives that will maximise

Melbourne’s water supply for the next hundred years.

“A dual water system for Melbourne should be on the table, recycled water use for the city must be on the

table.”

Mr Broad said an alternative is needed to ensure Melburnians had access to fresh fruit and vegetables grown locally.

"Unless we consider every sustainable option for Melbourne’s future water supply, including new dams and compulsory grey water in new subdivisions, governments will continue to be tempted to take water from farmers and the environment through a pipeline that has never been supported by country Victorians.

“It’s time, that in a first world country, we start to seriously consider how we use recycled water in Melbourne and throughout our communities. A recycled water pipe and dual water system for the city is a nation building infrastructure goal we should consider.”