19 February 2008
PREFERRED ROUTE FOR SUGARLOAF PIPELINE
Water Minister Tim Holding has welcomed the release of the Project Impact Assessment (PIA) report and the preferred route for the Sugarloaf Pipeline.
Planning Minister Justin Madden released the report earlier today which will be considered by an independent advisory committee and include four weeks of community consultation.
Mr Holding said the PIA was a key part of the independent environmental evaluation process endorsed last week by the Commonwealth Government.
“The Project Impact Assessment report identifies potential environmental and other impacts arising from the project and outlines measures to avoid and mitigate these impacts,” he said.
“We are getting on with the job of delivering these major water infrastructure projects to boost water supplies and use water more efficiently across Victoria.”
Mr Holding said 18 specialist studies have been undertaken into issues such as flora, fauna and cultural heritage.
“Today’s announcement of the preferred corridor follows more than 35,000 hours of detailed environmental and technical investigations and design work by more than 140 specialist staff from Melbourne Water and its Alliance partners,” he said.
The $750 million Sugarloaf Pipeline is a key part of the Government’s $4.9 billion Water Plan to secure and share Victoria’s water resources in the face of drought and climate change. The Sugarloaf Pipeline supports the $1 billion investment in modernising irrigation infrastructure in northern Victoria.
The modernisation project will recover 225 billion litres of water now lost through evaporation, seepage and system inefficiencies. These savings will be share equally between irrigators, rivers and Melbourne.
The 70km Sugarloaf Pipeline will transfer Melbourne’s 75 billion litre share from the Goulburn River to the Sugarloaf Reservoir.
Mr Holding said these projects would:
- Inject $367 million into the Goulburn-Murray region economy.
- Create around 1720 jobs during construction.
- Provide a world-class, modern irrigation system for northern Victoria.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to modernise ageing and inefficient infrastructure,” Mr Holding said.
“The irrigation upgrades would simply not be possible without the $300 million investment from Melbourne water users.” Melbourne Water Project Director Rod Clifford said the preferred pipeline route was a 100 metre wide corridor.
“The number of affected properties has reduced from more than 300 in the initial phase to about 170 properties in the preferred pipeline route,” Mr Clifford said.
“Our assessments seek to balance the social, environmental and economic implications of a project of this kind.
“This is why we are avoiding highly valued community assets such as Kinglake National Park and Killingworth Reserve, on the Goulburn River.”
“Following these processes, the construction easement is expected to be narrowed to 30 metres, with the final easement post-construction expected to be 15 metres wide.
The final route would be determined by the Victorian Minister for Planning, pending the relevant approvals, including under Commonwealth legislation.
Mr Holding said Melbourne Water would continue to consult with the community as the project progresses.
“There has been extensive consultation with the community, councils, affected landowners and other stakeholders, including public meetings, detailed briefings and site visits,” Mr Holding said.
“This consultation has guided the selection of the preferred pipeline route and will continue throughout the project.”
“Interested community members should read the PIA report and provide a submission.”
Copies of the PIA are at: http://www.melbournewater.com.au/currentprojects