16 November 2007
MELBOURNE WATER CONFIRMS PIPE SIZES NOT NEGOTIABLE
Pipe sizes for the Sugarloaf Pipeline are confirmed and will not be changed, Project Director Rod Clifford said today.
“The largest outer diameter pipe will be 1.75 metres for the section of pipeline north of the Great Dividing Range, while south of the range the pipe will be 1.4 metres,” Mr Clifford said.
“These pipe sizes are confirmed and to help avoid delay due to the national demand for pipes at the moment, Melbourne Water has already placed orders with a major supplier.”
Mr Clifford said the Sugarloaf Pipeline would bring no more than 75 billion litres of water per annum, saved through the Food Bowl Modernisation Project, from the Goulburn River to Melbourne’s Sugarloaf Reservoir from 2010.
“The Food Bowl Modernisation Project is expected to save 225 billion litres of water that would otherwise have been lost to seepage and evaporation, which will be divided between irrigators, the environment and Melbourne.
“Melbourne Water will not be entering either the permanent or temporary water trading market to acquire further water rights beyond the 75 billion litre allocation for Melbourne.”
Mr Clifford said Melbourne Water and the Sugarloaf Pipeline team would continue to work with local communities along the proposed pipeline corridor as part of a detailed program of consultation that would be vital to ensuring the best possible outcome for this project.
“We are about to embark on our third round of community information sessions along the pipeline corridor and would encourage anybody with any questions or concerns about the pipeline to come along and meet with our engineers and designers at one of these sessions, or contact the project team toll free on 1800 453 753.”