The tender for constructing the second stage of the East Grampians Rural Pipeline has been awarded. Construction is expected to start in October 2024.
Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water (GWMWater) has awarded a tender to Mitchell Water Australia for the works, which will involve laying the pipe that will transfer and deliver water to customers. The project will secure a high-quality rural water supply for towns and farms in the region for the future.
The first stage of construction is underway at the Lake Fyans Pump Station. Lake Fyans will be the main water source for the East Grampians Rural Pipeline, with smaller volumes of water sourced from Mt William headworks and the Mt Cole Reservoir.
The contract for the project’s second stage involves the construction of trunk mains and distribution network pipelines, additional pump stations and water storage.
GWMWater Managing Director, Mark Williams, said the tender awarding was a significant milestone for the project.
“This project has been in the works for some time, and the next stage of construction is a big and exciting step forward,” he said. “We have remained committed to getting the best value for money for our customers, and we thank them for their patience throughout the process.”
Mr Williams said work had been progressing in readiness for the next stage of construction to start.
“We continue to work with Cape Dunstans to deliver the early works package and have been engaging with landholders to mark out their preferred meter point connection locations based on the current design,” he said.
Construction of the pipeline will help secure the future of rural landowners and small towns surrounding Ararat by providing a reliable, high-quality water supply all year round.
Landowners who have not yet signed up to connect but have a pipeline designed to run past their property can still submit an expression of interest (EOI). However, GWMWater can no longer accept EOIs for land parcels not included in the updated project footprint and design.
The East Grampians Rural Water Supply Project is jointly funded by the Federal Government through the National Water Grid Fund, the Victorian Government and GWMWater.
Image: Ikonya/stock.adobe.com
