Repeat offenders should be fined if the State Government's call for Melburnians to slash their water use falls on deaf ears, an environmental lobby group says. Environment Victoria said today it supports the Brumby Government's newest water-saving campaign, but wants it to be made a permanent fixture.

Water fines in the pipeline?
Household using in excess of the government's recommended 155 litres per person, per day could get a knock on the door, Water Minister Tim Holding admits to 3AW radio's Neil Mitchell.

Under the Target 155 campaign announced by Premier John Brumby this morning, Melburnians will be asked to limit water use to 155 litres a day per person as the drought continues to grip the state.

The current average daily use is 165 litres a person. Environment Victoria CEO Kelly O'Shanassy says it is important the campaign is enforced. "That can be done by telling people how much they are using and writing to them when they exceed (the target)," she says.

Ms O'Shanassy said it would be wrong to fine people in the campaign's early stages, but urged the Government to consider penalties down the track. "There are some people who won't think it's important and you will need a carrot and stick to get everyone saving water," she said.

"But I do think it's important to let people know first before fining them." Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu said the campaign was another admission from the Government that it had failed to provide water security for Melburnians.

"Now we have personal water targets and we hope they work but I have to say, the evidence suggests it won't be enough and we have some hard times ahead," he said. "We now have a $5 million advertising campaign - there will be more ads than there will water."

Mr Brumby said the campaign was about education, not enforcement, but warned that if these voluntary targets can't be met, mandatory targets or tough stage 4 water restrictions may be introduced. He said $5.4 million would be spent on advertising.

The campaign, Target 155, starts on December 1. Melbourne's water storages are at 33.3 per cent capacity compared to 40.2 per cent at the same time last year.

(The Age, 24/11/2008)