Victorian Desalination Plant
Entry on Lower Powlett Rd
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 Location of Victorian Desalination Plant
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| Location | Dalyston |
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| Coordinates | 38°35′16.8″S 145°31′33.6″E / 38.588000°S 145.526000°ECoordinates: 38°35′16.8″S 145°31′33.6″E / 38.588000°S 145.526000°E |
| Estimated output | 410 megalitres (14×106 cu ft) per day |
| Extended output | 550 megalitres (19×106 cu ft) per day |
| Cost | A$5.7 billion - A$19 billion |
| Energy generation offset | Windfarm at Glenthompson (proposed) |
| Technology | Reverse Osmosis (proposed) |
| Percent of water supply | Estimated 33% of Melbourne |
| Operation date | December 2012 |
The Victorian Desalination Plant (also referred to as the Victorian Desalination Project or Wonthaggi desalination plant) is a water desalination plant in Dalyston, on the Bass Coast in southern Victoria, Australia, completed in December 2012. As a rainfall-independent source of water it complements Victoria's existing drainage basins, being a useful resource in times of drought. The plant is a controversial part of Victoria's water system, with ongoing costs of $608 million per year despite virtually no utilisation since completion. The first delivery of 50 gigalitres of water is expected in 2016, a fraction of its total capacity.
Booked tours are run and plans are underway for Aquasure to open to the public. The gates open daily for public access to the 225-hectare (560-acre) park and 8 kilometres (5 mi) of walking, horse riding and cycling tracks. The plant is located next to Williamsons Beach and the Wonthaggi Wind Farm, Wonthaggi. The intake pipes for the desalination plant are located over 1 kilometre (1⁄2 mi) out to sea.
The desalination plant was promoted through the late 2000s in response to the water restrictions and population growth as being part of the Victorian Government's "Our Water, Our Future" water plan. Marketing material was via print, digital and television advertisements, and included other associated projects such as the North-South Pipeline, the Cardinia Pipeline and a proposed interconnector to Geelong.
The plant site is about 500 metres (1,640 ft) inland and associated infrastructure includes tunnels connecting the plant to marine intake and discharge structures up to 1.2 km (1⁄2 mi) out to sea, an 85-kilometre (55 mi) pipeline to connect the plant to Melbourne's water supply system, and power supply infrastructure for the plant. The plant provides up to 150 gigalitres (5.3×109 cu ft) of additional water per year, with the potential to expand production to 200 gigalitres (7.1×109 cu ft) per year.
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