Construction is now underway on the Murrumbidgee Irrigation (MI) Urban Channel Pipeline (UCP) Project, which will provide a range of benefits to the communities of Griffith and Leeton.
The Australian Government is funding this $62.2 million project and is being delivered in partnership with the NSW Government under the Resilient Rivers Water Infrastructure Program.
The project will replace aging, inefficient channels around Griffith and Leeton. As part of this, over 2,675 megalitres of water will be recovered, a significant portion of which will be returned to the Australian Government to contribute to delivering the 450 gigalitres of additional environmental water for the Murray-Darling Basin.
MI CEO Brett Jones said it was pleasing to see the UCP project commence, following the recent completion of MI’s Automation Finalisation Project.
“The completion of automation across the network is not the end of the journey, simply the beginning of our next stage, focusing on delivering greater value from our assets and always looking for the next improvement opportunity to support our irrigators,” he said.
“The UCP Project will further enhance water use efficiency and improve system capacity through more precise water control. Updating aged and outdated infrastructure puts our communities and industries in the best possible position to weather water challenges and improve water security across Griffith and Leeton.”
MI General Manager, Asset Performance Delivery, Steven Porter, said the project is being undertaken in stages.
“Stage 1 of the project will cover 14km, with works now underway in Leeton, Griffith and Yenda,” he said.
“We are looking forward to working together with federal, state, and local governments to complete this important project.”
The Urban Channel Pipeline Project will provide a range of benefits to the community, including enhanced road safety through the elimination of roadside open urban channels, improved roadside drainage, reduced road maintenance, and employment opportunities for local contractors.
“We have three contractors working across the region for this initial stage, while tenders for the next 5km in Bilbul and Beelbangera have closed and are being assessed,” Porter added.
For residents in areas where works are planned, an engagement officer will be in contact to discuss the works and connection options.
