Major pipeline to support local growth

Gippsland Water will build a major new water main to help meet the future needs of Warragul and Drouin.

Managing director Sarah Cumming said the western ring main is the latest in a series of projects Gippsland Water is delivering to help ensure the rapidly growing region has a reliable and secure water supply.

“The new 4.3 km water main will provide additional volume, as well as an alternative pipeline when maintenance to the existing central Warragul main is required.

“The pipeline will also enable water from the Moe system to supply Drouin and development in the south-west growth corridor of Warragul,” Ms Cumming said.

Like a ring road, the pipeline will be constructed around existing urban areas minimising the expense and disruption to residents.

Ms Cumming said environmental and cultural heritage studies have been completed to minimise the impact of construction along the route, which runs along road reserves from the intersection of Landsborough Street and Butlers Track to the railway crossing on Lardners Track.

“We’ve done targeted studies on Giant Gippsland Earthworms, Warragul Burrowing Crayfish and Strzelecki Gums to make sure we protect our local flora and fauna and minimise the impact of our construction,” Ms Cumming said.

The planning approval process is expected to be complete in the next few months, with construction commencing later in 2021and complete in late 2023.

The Warragul Western Ring Main is the latest Gippsland Water project to support regional growth in west Gippsland.

Other projects include:

• The Warragul-Moe Interconnect – completed in June 2020, this $15 million project connects the central and western Gippsland water basins
• Warragul CBD water main upgrade – completed July 2020, this $2 million project increased reliability of the water supply in Warragul, minimising the impact on customers in the CBD if a break occurs along the pipeline.
• Tyssen Street pump station works at Warragul’s Water Treatment Plant – are nearing completion this $3.2 million project provides additional security and flexibility for Gippsland Water to transfer additional water from the treatment plant to customers, catering for the growing population in Warragul and Drouin until at least 2040.
• Drouin Wastewater Treatment Plant – construction is underway and planned for completion in 2022. This project will result in cleaner discharges to local waterways, better protection of public health and enable more wastewater to be recycled for irrigation.
• North East Gravity sewer main construction in Warragul – construction to commence 2024. This project involves replacing the existing main with a larger main to allow increased capacity to accommodate future growth expected in the north-east of Warragul.
• Warragul Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade – this upgrade is expected to commence in 2025 and will expand the capacity at the existing plant to meet Warragul’s needs up to 2060.

For more information about Gippsland Water’s major projects visit www.gippswater.com.au/major-projects

ENDS