Gascoyne water pipe upgrade under way, Grylls
Author: Brendon Grylls
Published on: 28-July-2011
Construction on the Gascoyne Irrigation Pipeline is progressing to schedule, despite setbacks from last year’s flooding.
Water Minister Bill Marmion today inspected east of Nine Mile Bridge, where the project’s biggest 900mm pipes had been connected to the northern borefield water supply.
“This pipeline is critical for the Carnarvon horticulture industry to have the required water delivery to be productive, and according to local industry its replacement and upgrade will nearly double their value of production,” Mr Marmion said.
The upgrade has received $7.4million State funds through Royalties for Regions.
When completed it will be capable of delivering up to 22 gigalitres of water per annum, guaranteed for 50 years.
“This progress is great news after the regrettable setbacks of last year’s flooding on horticultural growers that came on top of the long period of no rainfall which had also affected production,” Mr Marmion said
Regional Development Minister Brendon Grylls acknowledged the work of successful contract tenderer Pipe Fusions Australia, and said the project was well and truly off the planning table with construction moving along at great speed.
“When the pipeline becomes fully operational, it will not only service the 1,200ha Carnarvon horticulture precinct, it will be capable of servicing the proposed horticultural expansion that locals have so long been calling for,” Mr Grylls said.
The Carnarvon horticultural area plays a critical role in Western Australia’s fruit and vegetable production, generating annual average of $81million worth of produce.
Mr Marmion said the pipeline and sound water allocation management would create a system with the capacity to deliver reliable water supplies to growers.
