Gippsland Water shores up Coongulla and Glenmaggie's water supply

Gippsland Water will secure Coongulla and Glenmaggie’s water supply for the future as part of a multi-million dollar project commencing next year.

Managing director Sarah Cumming said this project was all about ensuring Coongulla and Glenmaggie communities had security in their water supply even when Lake Glenmaggie is low.

“At the moment, the water supply for both towns is sourced from Lake Glenmaggie and treated at the Coongulla water treatment plant,” Ms Cumming said.

“Lake Glenmaggie’s water levels aren’t reliable. There have been times when the lake has reached such low levels that water needed to be trucked into the towns from Heyfield.

“Meanwhile, Heyfield’s water is sourced from the Thomson River which is a lot more reliable and has plenty of capacity to supply Coongulla and Glenmaggie as well.”

Ms Cumming said construction of a distribution water main to connect the area’s water supply with the Heyfield network would begin in 2021.

“Once the interconnecting pipeline is completed in 2022, we will be able to more efficiently and cost-effectively supply Coongulla and Glenmaggie with water.”

Ms Cumming said a lot of work had gone into getting the project to this stage.

“We completed field surveys with Traditional Owners to ensure we understand where there is significant cultural heritage and work together to preserve Aboriginal artefacts.

“We also made sure our chosen route had the least impact on the environment possible. Any vegetation we need to remove will be offset.”

“The final step before construction is to put the contract out to tender early in the new year.”

For more information and to keep up-to-date on the project’s progress visit www.gippswater.com.au/heyfield-coongulla-interconnect