Project Background Information

Coliban Water has developed a Water Security Plan (WaterPlan 2055) that looks to meet future water needs for customers in four key areas: managing demand; reducing water loss; increasing water recycling and exploring options to increase supply.

One of the measures identified to increase water supply is the Goldfields Superpipe. A feasibility study was commissioned earlier in the year to determine the most appropriate means to transfer water from the Goulburn system. Several options were considered and an interim report identified the Waranga Western Channel to Lake Eppalock Pipeline as one of three preferred options. This option was then selected by the State Government and Coliban Water.

> View interim report (1.2MB pdf)

The information below details:

• Cost
• The Pipeline
• Purchase of Water Entitlements
• Approvals

Cost

Based on current estimates, the pipeline will cost around $98M. Cost estimates have increased due to the increased pipe size required to accommodate the Bendigo to Ballarat pipeline. Bendigo customers will not be paying for the increase due to the Ballarat link and the subsequent increased pipe size required. The State Government has made a budget allocation of $30M and a further $25M is being sought from the Federal Government through the National Water Initiative (NWI). Coliban Water will fund the balance of the project costs through increased tariffs to its customers.

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The Pipeline

The transfer of water requires the construction of a pipeline from the Waranga Western Channel, near Colbinabbin, to near Lake Eppalock. The pipeline will be underground and approximately 45 kilometres long. There will be some above ground structures such as air valves, cathodic protection system components and potentially surge tanks. A pump station will be constructed north of the Colbinabbin township.

The pipeline will have no benefit to water levels in Lake Eppalock. The volume of water is small compared to the capacity of Lake Eppalock. The Superpipe will transfer a maximum of 20,000ML per year and Lake Eppalock holds 304,651ML. It is also likely that water will be transferred directly into the Eppalock to Bendigo pipeline and not into Lake Eppalock, although the pipeline allows the flexibility to do either.

GHD has worked closely with Coliban Water to design the pipeline and obtain the necessary approvals. To select the pipeline alignment, desktop assessments and fieldwork on public and private land were undertaken. To avoid significant native vegetation much of the alignment follows the existing power easement. The pipeline alignment is shown on the map below. Discussions with landowners along the alignment are continuing.

> View map identifying the pipeline alignment (1.82MB JPG)

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Purchase of Water Entitlements

Coliban Water is purchasing water entitlements from the water market. The intention is to eventually purchase around 8,000ML of permanent water entitlement with additional water purchased as temporary entitlement. The water being supplied to Coliban Water customers via the pipeline will only use approximately 3-4% of the total capacity of the Waranga Western Channel. Coliban Water acknowledges the concerns of irrigators in relation to the purchase of water, specifically in relation to the impacts of water trading out of the system on remaining irrigators and their communities. Therefore Goulburn-Murray Water and Coliban Water are currently jointly developing the appropriate operating rules for the system in order to address any supply concerns.

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Planning, Approvals and Design

An alignment for the pipeline has been finalised in consultation with government agencies such as the Department of Sustainability and Environment, City of Greater Bendigo, Shire of Campaspe, VicRoads, Environment Protection Authority, and the North Central and Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authorities as well as with reference to Land Owners.

Factors that were considered in selecting the pipeline alignment were the potential impacts on flora and fauna and sites of cultural significance, as well as the topography and geology of the area.

> View map identifying the pipeline alignment (432KB pdf)

Discussions are ongoing with landowners whose properties are affected by the pipeline. Coliban Water has used the Land Acquisition and Compensation Act to compulsorily acquire easements over the land required for the pipeline. The process is a transparent one, where landowners have the ability to negotiate compensation and are fully informed of their rights. RMCG were contracted to assist in liaising with landowners to discuss topsoil reinstatement and land management requirements during and after construction. FRH Group are using the information obtained by RMCG to minimise the construction impact on landowners and are continuing discussions on issues of importance, such as access routes, reinstatement and precise pipeline alignment.

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