Melbourne Water

Sugarloaf Pipeline Project - Pipeline Route

• Pipeline route selection
• Preferred pipeline corridor
• Determining the final pipeline corridor
• Pipeline corridor selection process
• Potential impacts and management (summary table)

Pipeline route selection

While a few potential pipeline corridors have been identified, the specific route alignment will be selected in early 2008, after close consultation with affected landowners and local councils.

The detailed design process now being undertaken by the Sugarloaf Pipeline Project Team takes into account social, environmental, engineering and cost factors so that we can choose the best possible alignment for the region's needs.

As part of this process Melbourne Water hosted ten Community Information Sessions throughout the region in November 2007 so that landowners and community members along the potential pipeline corridor could learn more about the investigative surveying work.

Top of page

Preferred pipeline corridor

Currently, the preferred route for the Sugarloaf pipeline runs south from the Goulburn River at Killingworth near Yea, along the Melba Highway corridor, west of Yarra Glen to Sugarloaf Reservoir. This route includes public reserves and private farmland.

One of several alternate routes also being considered would continue south along the Melba Highway to Gulf Road, then west along either Gulf Road or the existing Melbourne Water pipetrack to Steels Creek Road.

Top of page

Determining the final pipeline corridor

Investigations to determine the final pipeline route include the following studies on private and public land:

• Economic impacts;
• Flora and Fauna surveys;
• Cultural Heritage investigations;
• Geotechnical investigations;
• Social impacts; and
• Surveying.

The information obtained from these studies, as well as from research and consultation with landowners, will be used to feed into the pipeline corridor selection process.

Top of page

Pipeline corridor selection process

The pipeline corridor selection process involves weighing up economic, social and environmental factors.

Research and field studies have identified a number of potential significant impacts in the current preliminary pipeline corridors, which will have to be avoided or mitigated.

Investigations are continuing and we will keep people updated with new developments. We intend to have a final pipeline corridor determined by early 2008.

Top of page

Potential impacts and management

The table below outlines some of the potential impacts of the Sugarloaf Pipeline Project and the proposed management of these potential impacts:

Potential impacts	Proposed management of impacts
Potential presence of striped legless lizard on Carey Rd, Limestone Rd and Killingworth Rd; pitfall surveys are currently being conducted to see whether any can be found	Select pipeline alignment to minimise impacts to threatened species. Manage construction works in peak breeding seasons for threatened fauna species (e.g. August to December) to avoid potential impacts on species. Protective fencing around open trenches to reduce the risk of injury or mortality to animals that may fall into trench lines.
National Heritage listed Yea Flora Fossil Site located on Limestone Rd	Select pipeline alignment to minimise impacts. Investigate potential for trenchless technology or other methods to minimise impacts.
Presence of Matted Flax-lily around the Steels Creek Rd region, Yarra Glen. This is listed as 'Endangered' under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Protection Act 1999	Select pipeline alignment to minimise impacts to threatened species. Retain a seed bank for threatened species. Develop a Vegetation Management Plan and Land Reinstatement Plan as part of the Environmental Management Plan.
Potential presence of the threatened Hemiphlebia Damselfly around the Yea wetlands	Select pipeline alignment to minimise impacts to threatened species. Manage construction works in peak breeding seasons for threatened fauna species (e.g. August to December) to avoid potential impacts on species.
Visual impacts at the proposed pump station site near Killingworth reserve, and at numerous other locations along the preliminary pipeline corridors	Use landscaping and building design to minimise impact around pump station sites. Select pipeline alignment to avoid and minimise visual and landscape impacts. Remove vegetation only if there is no practical alternative option.
Potential erosion, surface and groundwater impacts around the Goulburn and Yea floodplains, as well as Steels Creek (Yarra Glen)	Minimise the area of disturbance, in particular the extent of vegetation clearing. Implement an erosion and sediment control plan during construction. Undertake works in accordance with an environmental management plan.
Sensitive cultural heritage sites around the Yea River floodplain and moderate potential for cultural heritage sites around Steels Creek	Avoid identified heritage sites. Complete a Cultural Heritage Management Plan. High potential for impacts on private land owners, current land use, businesses, and residences and emotional stress identified along numerous sections of the preliminary pipeline corridors. Work with affected landowners and communities to minimise impacts on private land. Undertake works in accordance with a land reinstatement plan. Work with local communities to identify and maximise potential benefits for the community.

Also see:

• Maps and documentation
• Environmental impacts

Top of page

---

• New Water Main in St Albans
• Seawater Desalination Plant
• Strategic Fire Breaks
• Sugarloaf Pipeline Project
  • News and Events
  • Facts and Common Questions
  • Pipeline Route
  • Maps and Documentation
  • Project Team
  • Landowners
  • Where Are We Now
  • Timeline
  • Planning Approval Process
  • Environmental Impacts
  • Advisory Groups
  • Regional Benefits
  • Contact Us
• Tarago Project