Desal water still needed: Vic minister

The Victorian government won't cancel its order for 50 gigalitres of water from the controversial Wonthaggi desalination plant just because the state is experiencing a wet start to spring.

Water Minister Lisa Neville says Melbourne's rainfall is still below the 30-year average and the city is using more water than ever before because of population growth.

"I don't think we need to cancel it," Ms Neville told 3AW on Monday.

"All the advice to me is still that we should move forward with this order."

The water minister said the $27 million order from the desalination plant was a "small but important buffer" that would be delivered in summer.