Southern Rural Water is delivering on its once-in-a-generation investment in modern infrastructure with modernisation projects in Newry, Werribee and Bacchus Marsh.
This is a major achievement, and testament to the hard work of Southern Rural Water team and contractors, and the valued support of farmers and key stakeholders.
Newry Pipeline Project
Work on the main Newry pipeline has been completed, with 17.25 kilometres of new pipeline constructed. Work on remaining customer outlets and associated customer connection pipelines is nearing completion and legacy assets will be decommissioned over the next few months. Water is now flowing through the new pipeline and customers are placing their water orders for the 2023-24 season.
Modernisation in the Macalister Irrigation District began in 2013 and in the decade since has delivered service improvements, water savings and environmental outcomes to our customers and community. Modernisation has improved on-farm productivity and enabled more efficient on-farm irrigation, saving farmers time and improving water delivery.
The $39.8m Newry Pipeline project has been delivered under Phase 2 of the Macalister Irrigation District 2030 project.
Nearly $160 million has been invested, with contributions from Southern Rural Water, customers the Commonwealth Government through the National Water Grid Fund and Victorian Government.
Werribee Irrigation District modernisation – Stage 4
More growers in Werribee can look forward to a more efficient and secure water supply, with the continuation of modernisation upgrades in Werribee.
Works including decommissioning are ongoing for the Werribee Irrigation District Stage 4 modernisation.
The $42 million project is being undertaken in five stages, with Stage 4 seeing nearly eight kilometres of open channel replaced with a modern pipeline and 21 upgraded outlets.
A reliable piped supply means less water is lost to leakage and evaporation, increases the efficiency of how water is supplied, enhances the reliability of local food production, and ensures growers are more climate resilient.
Stages 1 to 3 were completed in 2019 and modernised approximately 23 kilometres of pipeline and upgraded more than 130 customer outlets.
Stage 5 works are expected to start in autumn next year and include construction of a further 8.3 kilometres of pipeline, 47 automated outlets, and two new regulators.
Stage 4 and 5 works is jointly funded by Southern Rural Water, the Commonwealth Government through the National Water Grid Fund and the Victorian Government.
Bacchus Marsh Irrigation District modernisation – Stage 5
Construction is nearly complete on Stage 5 of the Bacchus Marsh Irrigation District modernisation project, with the upgrade of the Spur 12 channel near Lerderderg Park Road in Bacchus Marsh.
Spur 12 works include construction of 859 metres of new pipe and the upgrade of three customer outlets. Piping Spur 12 improves reliability of supply, reduces evaporation and improves service to customers with more accurate and timely delivery of water.
Modernisation in Bacchus Marsh started in 2017 and $10.8 million has been invested in that time.
Spur 12 works is jointly funded by Southern Rural Water, the Commonwealth Government’s National Water Grid Fund and the Victorian Government.