CONSTRUCTION is now underway on Goulburn Mulwaree Council’s biggest infrastructure project. And it’s also one of the most important initiatives for Goulburn.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The much anticipated Wingecarribee to Goulburn pipeline is now well underway, with trenching and pipe laying starting this week.
It’s almost four years to the day when former NSW Premier Morris Iemma announced his government would contribute $20 million towards what was then touted as the $40m “emergency drought pipeline”.
It was supposed to be finished by early 2008. But after years of council and community debate, the project – officially dubbed the Highlands Source Pipeline – is being built. Its final cost is expected to be about $50m.
The project will include an 81km pipeline from Goulburn to Wingecarribee Reservoir, providing a reliable water supply for Goulburn. It is being built at a time when the city’s water storage levels are at more than 90 per cent.
When Mr Iemma made his promise on March 8 2007 water levels were about 15pc. After a site visit yesterday, Mayor Geoff Kettle said he was impressed by the efficiency of the highly trained team working to secure Goulburn’s water supply.
“It was fantastic to see how smooth the construction operation is,” Cr Kettle said.
“A 50 tonne trenching machine is closely followed by a 30 tonne excavator which places the pipe, and then it is quickly covered ready for restoration.
“The top soil is left in a windrow along the route to ensure it can be replaced.
“This is a great day for the people of Goulburn, who have moved another step closer to a reliable water supply.
“The planning and pre-construction stage has been very thorough and we have now moved on to the next milestone – the start of real construction work.
“I was also very impressed to see our own local contractors working on site, and local products being used on the project. Some 60 jobs will be created during construction.”
The project will transfer up to five megalitres of water each day to Goulburn. Both the federal and state governments are contributing up to $20m each.
The rest will be funded by ratepayers. It’s expected construction will be completed by the end of June this year.
For the full story, please see the print edition of the Goulburn Post, available from our Auburn Street office and from leading newsagencies across the region.
