By Bronwyn Hastings

The first stage of the East Grampians Rural Water Supply project launched at Lake Fyans last week.

The $85.2 million project will provide a secure water supply to rural communities within Ararat Rural City and Pyrenees and Northern Grampians shires, which have relied on rainfall runoff.

GWMWater chair Caroline Welsh said board members were excited to support the project.

“It has been a few years coming, but it’s going to be off and running and delivered very quickly,” she said.

“We worked with the community to find out priorities and needs.

“There’s certainly been a lot of support. People have seen the benefits that have been afforded to other regions through the Wimmera-Mallee Pipeline, that level of water security and liveability it gives people.”

On completion of the four-stage plan, the project could service up to 1000 rural farming properties across an area of up to 200,000 hectares with a reticulated non-drinking water supply.  

Member for Western Victoria Jacinta Ermacora officially opened the construction site at the Lake Fyans Pump Station last week.

“It’s really important for farmers to have water security,” she said.

“It’s very positive to see GWMWater managing the system and providing this kind of support and advocacy to the community.”

GWMWater managing director Mark Williams said the tender was awarded late last year, with construction for the next stage ready to begin.

“We’re planning to have this built over the next four to six months, while demand is low,” he said.

“They can take the pump station effectively offline and put a temporary pump station in that will cope with the lower demand.”

Mr Williams said by the beginning of summer the pump station would be operational. 

“The pipeline will extend the water’s reach to the Mininera region, including Willaura, Lake Bolac, Wickliffe, Moyston and Streatham,” he said.

“It’s fairly big coverage and once it’s finished will expand the reach to not only those towns, but the rural area that’s in the footprint.”

The contractor appointed to carry out the rest of the works will be announced towards the end of May.

People wanting more information about the project can visit www.gwmwater.org.au/egrp.

The entire May 1, 2024 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!