LAST PIPE LAID ON VITAL WATER PROJECT
From the Minister for Water
Wednesday, 26 August 2009
Visiting the site today, Water Minister Tim Holding said water could now flow to Melbourne from the $750 million project as early as February next year.
“The Brumby Labor Government and water authorities are undertaking record investment in water projects to secure water supplies for Victorians,” Mr Holding said.
“The Sugarloaf Pipeline is a vital part of the Brumby Labor Government’s Water Plan, without it Melbourne would be a real risk of running out of water.
“With Melbourne’s water storages currently at 27.9 per cent it is more important than ever that we continue with these major water projects.”
Mr Holding said the pipeline, which is funded by Melbourne water users, would deliver Melbourne’s share of water savings from the $2 billion investment in irrigation upgrades.
“In 2010 Melbourne will receive 75 billion litres of water down the pipeline, every year after that savings from Stage 1 of the irrigation upgrades will be shared equally between farmers, Melbourne and rivers. Savings from Stage 2 will be split 50/50 between farmers and rivers.
“These water savings are being made right now in irrigation channels in northern Victoria and will be independently audited and verified.”
The Sugarloaf Pipeline runs from the Goulburn River near Yea to the Sugarloaf Reservoir in Melbourne's north-east. Construction started in September last year with works suspended for up to three weeks following the Black Saturday bushfires.
Water will begin flowing to Melbourne following completion of two pumping stations near Yea, a power sub station, reservoir chute and extensive testing of the pipe.
Mr Holding said the project had injected more than $200 million into the Victorian economy and about $50 million into the regional economy.
“At its peak, the project employed more than 1200 full-time direct and subcontract staff, with up to 800 people employed for a sustained period over 12 months,” he said.
“About 40 per cent of the workforce has been made up of local people and regional Victorians including engineers, administrators and subcontractors.
“The Sugarloaf Pipeline Alliance – consisting of Melbourne Water, Sinclair Knight Merz; GHD and John Holland - has worked tirelessly to complete the pipe laying on the project. The Alliance continues to work on re-instating the land with about 40 kilometres already complete. “
The $2 billion Food Bowl Modernisation Project is funded jointly with $600 million from the Victorian Government, $300 million from Melbourne Water and $100 million from farmers in northern Victoria and up to $1 billion from the Commonwealth.
