CONSTRUCTION work on the 81km water pipeline linking Goulburn to the Wingecarribee Reservoir in the Southern Highlands is now complete.
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The Highlands Source Project is nearing the end of its second stage, which includes the commissioning of the pump station at the Wingecarribee Reservoir and pipeline itself. Goulburn Mulwaree Mayor Geoff Kettle said that the final length of pipe was installed at 1pm on Saturday afternoon.
“This is a significant milestone for the project and for our community,” Cr Kettle said.
“Stage 2 is drawing to a close, and Council staff and contractors are currently carrying out a series of tests to ensure the integrity of the pipe along its 81km length.
“This has been a long process, and there is still a long way to go. Contractors will still be on site tidying up the easement area.
“The reality is that we are one step closer to finally securing our water supply for the long term, which is fantastic news for the community,” Cr Kettle said.
But Cr Kettle also stressed the need for Goulburn residents to continue to monitor their water use.
“While our dams are currently 99 per cent full, Goulburn residents know the dangers of complacency. It only took a matter of years for the drought to ravage our water supply in the past, but this pipeline will ensure that will never happen again.”
Council’s water services manager Grant Moller said once the pipeline had been commissioned in October this year, there were still a number of steps Council and contractors had to undertake as part of the project’s third stage.
“As part of the easement agreement with landholders, Council will restore each property back to its original status prior to construction commencing, or as negotiated with the landholders,” Mr Moller said.
“Rapid reinstatement work has already begun in a number of locations along the pipeline route, however the full restoration process should start next autumn.
“Council’s Water Services business unit will also oversee the system integration, which includes developing the operational plan on how the pipeline will operate.
“It also includes integration of the pipeline into Council’s system, which will require detailed planning, design and construction works at the Water Treatment Plant and Rossi Pump Station to accommodate the pipeline, controls and water quality. Although the pipeline will be operational from October, the integration works will take another 12 to 18 months to complete,” Mr Moller said.
