Southern Rural Water has completed the Newry Pipeline upgrade as part of a region building infrastructure program that primes Gippsland farmers for future success.
The $39.8 million Newry pipeline upgrade is part of the $62.6 million Macalister Irrigation District Modernisation Phase 2 Project and replaces 100-year-old open channels with just over 17 kilometres of new pipeline and 50 automated outlets.
Water has been delivered to farmers through the new pipeline since August. However, with the decommissioning of legacy infrastructure now complete, Southern Rural Water Managing Director Cameron FitzGerald said this was a great modernisation milestone.
“This project has been a significant investment in Newry and the Gippsland farming community,” Mr FitzGerald said.
“It’s been a once in a generation opportunity to modernise infrastructure and provide tangible benefits to our customers well into the future.”
The new pipeline provides opportunities to generate water savings, implement best-practice water use, invest in on-farm efficiencies, improve farm productivity, and enable businesses to be more climate resilient.
Mr FitzGerald said the Macalister Irrigation District Phase 2 modernisation works will not only deliver water savings but also encourages farmers to implement best practice irrigation and increase their productivity.
Work on the Newry pipeline started in November 2022 and its completion marks a major milestone of a decade long infrastructure program in the Macalister Irrigation District.
Mr FitzGerald said Gippsland is one of Victoria’s most important food bowls and there is now a chance to imagine what else could be achieved to secure the region’s long-term future.
“Work has already started to consider new opportunities through Southern Rural Water’s recently announced Macalister Fresh Strategy,” he said.
Mr FitzGerald said Southern Rural Water was committed to working with partners, customers, and the community to unlock further economic, cultural and environmental benefits in Gippsland.
The Macalister Irrigation District Modernisation Phase 2 Project is jointly funded by Southern Rural Water, the Australian Government through the National Water Grid Fund and the Victorian Government.