Goulburn pipeline contractor appointed

John Holland Group will construct the Sugarloaf Pipeline, linking the Goulburn River to the Sugarloaf Reservoir, Water Minister Tim Holding announced today.

Mr Holding said John Holland was one of Australia’s largest and most diverse specialist contracting businesses – with a portfolio including tunnelling and underground mining to power and water projects – which brings a wealth of experience to the project team.

“The Sugarloaf Pipeline is a key part of the Food Bowl Modernisation Project and integral in the $4.9 billion Next Stage of the Government’s Water Plan,” Mr Holding said.

“John Holland will work with Melbourne Water and existing alliance partners GHD and SKM, in the finalisation of plans for the pipeline construction, expected to begin as early as April 2008.

“The Sugarloaf Pipeline will be a key piece of infrastructure in the $1 billion modernisation project, which will see irrigators, the environment and Melbourne share in water savings of around 225 billion litres of water annually.

“The water savings will result from upgrading infrastructure and channels in the Goulburn Murray Irrigation District. The pipeline will enable Melbourne to receive a shared benefit from the investment.”

Melbourne Water Managing Director Rob Skinner said the organisation was pleased to add John Holland to the team and looked forward to rolling out a final alignment and delivering the project in the new year.

“John Holland will now assist the project team in finalising the pipeline route, completing the engineering and design efforts, and laying the new pipeline,” Mr Skinner said.

“They will also be performing the reinstatement works along the pipeline alignment in close consultation with impacted landowners and Melbourne Water.

“An announcement on final alignment was expected early in the new year, following an extensive program of survey works and community consultation throughout the pipeline corridor.”

Average water bills in Melbourne, currently at least 20 per cent lower than any other capital city, are expected to double over the next five years to pay for the pipeline and the desalination plant.

Earlier this week the Victorian Government announced its response to the Food Bowl Modernisation Steering Committee report.

Of the 52 recommendations from the Steering Committee, 50 have been adopted and a new body, the Northern Victoria Infrastructure Renewal Project, has been established to oversee the irrigation upgrades.

The Minister for Planning will decide before the end of the year if an Environment Effects Statement is required for the project.

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