Victorian Government launches new water supply pipeline

The Government of Victoria, Australia, has launched a new pipeline to provide improved water supply in East Loddon, Bendigo.

The $16.4m, 146km pressurised pipeline will provide reliable water supply for 105 land owners and 65 rural houses covering an area the size of 37,000ha.

The two-year water supply project received $9.42m in funding from the Northern Victoria Irrigation Renewal Project, $2.43m from Coliban Water, $2.13m from Regional Development Victoria and $2.4 from Goulburn-Murray Water customers.

Water Minister Peter Walsh said the project would give confidence to local irrigators, who had borne the brunt of federal Labor’s water buybacks and the Brumby Labor Government’s decision to build the north south pipeline.

"This new pipeline is an expression of confidence and commitment to the local communities and local industry," Walsh said.

"It represents a significant investment in our regional communities and environment through improved water delivery service levels and reduced water losses.

"The new pipeline replaces an open channel and weir system that has been in operation since 1884. It was extremely inefficient and is now replaced by 146km of pressurised pipeline including a pump station at the off-take from the Waranga Western Channel."