GWMWater has received a planning approval to start zone four of the East Grampians Rural Pipeline, but Ararat Rural City Council’s chief executive says the project is plagued by delays and downsizing.

The Grampians fire and a continuing dry season has put the spotlight firmly on water security in the Ararat municipality, with farmers growing increasingly angry at the delays in completing the pipeline, and the project being cut back due to funding constraints.

The $85.2-million project will provide a secure water supply to some rural communities within Ararat, Pyrenees and Northern Grampians municipalities.

The Weekly Advertiser understands the project is two years behind schedule and about $55-million short in funding to deliver the entire footprint of the project.

But GWMWater’s announcement it had approval to start zone four, which will supply rural water to landholders in Willaura and Moyston, has been met with distaste by East Grampians farmers, and ARCC chief executive Tim Harrison.

“There’s two interesting things – a couple of farmers are thinking there’s a chance it will split the farming community between the ‘have’ and ‘have nots’ around who’s got water and who hasn’t,” Dr Harrison said.

He said farmers could not believe the tone of GWMWater’s project update via a media release, speaking about the project in a positive manner. 

“The fact that we’ve got a project that our farming community would essentially consider to be a failed project, being spoken about in such positive terms by GWMWater – it doesn’t make any sense to them,” he said.

Dr Harrison said if  the full footprint of the project was delivered, it would be a ‘game-changer’ for the region. “Council’s not backing away from this. We’re backing our farming community all the way on this project,” he said.

“We’ve engaged in an economic study that’s looking at the loss that farmers have suffered  through the failure of the project.

“ We’ve been lucky – we’ve had a few pretty good seasons, but this season really bears out the need for full completion of the project, and we’re certainly going to work really hard in lobbying politicians and working with our farmers.  We’ve got a plan together with the farming community to work together to hopefully make that happen.”

GWMWater is working in partnership with Mitchell Water Australia, aiming to provide water security to up to 1000 properties over an area of 200,000 hectares. 

Construction is well underway, with the Lake Fyans Pump Station due to be completed in early April, while pipeline is being laid near Ararat – to date more than 100 kilometres of pipe has been installed in zone two. Surveys have also started within zone three and a contract has been awarded for works in zone four. 

GWMWater managing director Mark Williams said Mitchell Water was working hard to get pipe in the ground as quickly as possible.  

“We plan to provide interim supplies to those with signed agreements in place as soon as the pipeline is commissioned in each zone. Landholders will be kept informed as this becomes  available,” he said.   

“By enabling existing agricultural enterprises to consolidate and expand, and by providing  opportunities for new enterprises to develop, the project is poised to be a catalyst for regional growth.”

Project funding includes $32-million from the Federal Government’s National Water Grid Fund; $32-million from the State Government; and $21.2-million from project beneficiaries.

The entire March 5, 2025 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!