Darnum works complete secure water network

Construction by Gippsland Water of a pipeline under the freeway and railway at Darnum marks the completion of a water network linking the Moe and Tarago water supply systems.

“Warragul and Drouin are rapidly growing communities and we need to ensure reliability of high quality water for residents and industry,” said Angelo Saridis, Acting Managing Director of Gippsland Water.

“The long standing local supply system is being challenged by rapid population growth, particularly in dry conditions.

“We are committed to establishing a water network which will provide a securewater supply to our communities,” said Mr Saridis.

“The new Moe-Warragul interconnecting pipeline will enable us to transfer an additional eight million litres a day between the Moe system and the Tarago system supplying Warragul and Drouin.”

A key part of this project involved installing a large diameter pipeline under the railway and freeway at Darnum.

“This was a challenge,” said Mr Saridis.

“A major concern was the possibility of subsidence under the railway. The solution was microtunneling, which involved boring and placing a sleeve pipe in the same action so that the surrounding earth was always fully supported and there was no risk of subsidence.

“The railway is adjacent to the freeway, so it made sense to microtunnel under both at the same time.

“This required opening deep shafts beside Railway Avenue and near the general store to allow our contractors to drill the pipeline under the transport corridors.

“We thank the Darnum community for their understanding during the works,” said Mr Saridis.

“With the pipeline’s completion we are now cleaning up and commissioning the full length of the interconnector. This includes reinstatement of work areas and testing the pipeline and the associated pump stations.

“We are on track for the interconnector to be fully operational in 2019.”