Jul 24, 2026 – 5.00amThe cash-strapped Victorian government is considering the future of Melbourne Water, asking a handful of consulting and advisory firms to think about ways they could assist with strategic planning.EY was ultimately appointed to look at options for the utility, which operates nearly $18 billion of pipes, plants and other infrastructure, according to people briefed on the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity.Sarah Thompson has co-edited Street Talk since 2009, specialising in private equity, investment banking, M&A and equity capital markets stories. Prior to that, she spent 10 years in London as a markets and M&A reporter at Bloomberg and Dow Jones.Kanika Sood is a journalist based in Sydney who writes for the Street Talk column.Emma Rapaport is a co-editor of the Street Talk column. Prior to that, she was a markets reporter at The Australian Financial Review.Angira Bharadwaj is a co-editor of Street Talk. She covers IPOs, capital raises, mergers and acquisitions and other breaking news in Australia’s capital markets. Previously, she covered financial services, state, and federal politics. Send tips to @angirab.60 on encrypted messaging platform Signal.Subscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber?