19 December 2007
SUGARLOAF PIPELINE ALIGNMENT NEARING FINALISATION
Limestone Road and Frog Ponds Road in Yea had been ruled out as options for the final alignment of the Sugarloaf Pipeline, Project Director Rod Clifford confirmed today.
Mr Clifford said works to finalise the final pipeline route were progressing well and continued to be informed by the detailed survey works and consultation with the community underway throughout the region.
“In determining a final route, we have to balance social, engineering and environmental considerations and the impacts that the pipeline may have in these areas.
“On studying the Limestone Road and Frog Ponds Road area, we identified there was the potential for the pipeline to impact on nationally-significant natural and cultural resources, like the Yea Fossil Site, so we ruled those options out,” Mr Clifford said.
“While it is still possible that some properties at the northern end of Limestone Road on the western side of the road may be impacted, we are focussing our efforts on identifying a route closer to the Melba Highway,” Mr Clifford said.
“We are on track to have a final pipeline route identified by early 2008.”
Mr Clifford said survey works were continuing along the pipeline corridors, while members of the Sugarloaf Project Team continued to meet with local residents, councils and other stakeholders.