General News
28 September, 2023
Business case next step for pipeline
Moving towards drought-proofing farms, the feasibility study for a major pipeline has produced positive results with the project now a step closer to providing a secure water supply to rural properties in the region. The Southern Wimmera and...
Moving towards drought-proofing farms, the feasibility study for a major pipeline has produced positive results with the project now a step closer to providing a secure water supply to rural properties in the region.
The Southern Wimmera and Northeast Pyrenees Rural Water Supply Project — spearheaded by Grampians Wimmera Mallee (GWM) Water and the Pyrenees Shire Council — has progressed to the next stage, after a study assessing its feasibility indicated that the venture was technically viable.
Dealing with the expansion of the existing Wimmera Mallee Pipeline, the project, once developed, will provide non-potable or non-drinking water to about 354,000 hectares, which will cover parts of the Central Goldfields, Northern Grampians and Pyrenees Shires.
Public information sessions held in February showed strong support from landholders for the project, which was kickstarted last year after the Pyrenees Shire Council secured $300,000 to fund the feasibility study and business case.
Yielding favourable outcomes for the pipeline, the study considered various factors including the utilisation of existing water infrastructure where possible — and now, the project is set to move forward to a business case, which is expected to be completed early next year.
“We’re proud to be partnering with GMWWater, with support from Central Highlands Water, Central Goldfields and Northern Grampians Shire Councils, to move this major infrastructure project forward,” Pyrenees Shire Council mayor Ron Eason said.
“The delivery of a more sustainable water supply has the potential to bring important economic and community benefits for the region, improving the viability of agriculture and driving new investment and jobs, as well as delivering better environmental flows.”
Locally as well, the results of the feasibility study have been welcomed by councillor Liesbeth Long, who emphasised the Maryborough-based council’s continued engagement with the project’s other stakeholders.
“As a primary producer in the Central Goldfields Shire, this is a great outcome,” she said.
“I know many farmers in the district need to cart water for their stock over summer and in drier seasons. Having experienced drought first hand twice now, the thought of having water security when the next drought hits is a huge relief. It means that water will be one less thing we need to worry about.
“Our council staff are also represented on both the steering committee and the Landholder Engagement Group to support the administration and marketing of this major initiative — work [we’ve done] included identifying and writing to some 300 farm landholdings in our catchment area, and advertising the opportunity for landholders to lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) earlier this year.”
With the country currently experiencing an El Niño weather event, characterised by warmer and drier conditions, Cr Long said the water pipeline project would play a significant role in providing relief in the face of similar future events.
“Periods of drought are extremely challenging and all too familiar for our farmers — unfortunately, reduced rainfall is expected with the current El Niño event and extended dry periods are only going to be more frequent as a result of climate change,” she said.
“The lack of a reliable water supply threatens the long-term viability of many local agribusinesses.
“This project will provide water security for our farmers, improving their ability to plan stocking and cropping activities, reducing reliance on catchment dams and carting in dry times, and opening up opportunities for future investment and development in the region.”
As the business case is developed, public meetings will also continue to be held in the coming month, across the three shires, to bring communities up to date with the project.
“The feasibility study was able to demonstrate that it was technically possible to provide a new pipeline due to the strong interest from the farming community via the EOI process,” Cr Long said.
“[These statements] were crucial in ensuring that key technical issues were explored and understood based on the information provided in the EOIs. However, not everyone lodged an EOI, which may mean that when plans are drafted up those properties that did not put in one could potentially miss out on access all together.
“The October public meetings will allow those who want to reaffirm [or register] their interest, to better understand the potential infrastructure. The sessions will also talk about cost sharing models and landowner contributions based on preferred water allowances.”
Upcoming information sessions will be held between 6-8 pm — at Natte Yallock Recreational Reserve on October 4, Navarre Recreational Reserve on October 9 and at the Bealiba Public Hall on October 11.
To learn more about the Southern Wimmera and Northeast Pyrenees Rural Water Supply Project, or to lodge an expression of interest, visit the GWM Water website (gwmwater.org.au/swnep-study), or enquire via the Central Goldfields, Northern Grampians or Pyrenees Shire Councils.