Last sections of pipeline in the ground

October 20, 2017

The last sections of the 61-kilometre Orange to Carcoar water pipeline have been installed.

Crews from contractor, Leed Engineering & Construction, have been working in a number of locations throughout the project which began in March this year.

While the pipeline stage is now complete, work is continuing on other elements of the project.

A number of pumping stations are still being built along the route. Chlorine-dosing equipment is also being installed.

The construction phase of the project is expected to be completed by the end of 2017, with commissioning to continue into the new year.

Bathurst MP Paul Toole said the government was proud to be contributing $21.21 million towards the new potable water pipeline from Orange to Blayney and Carcoar.

"The NSW Government is determined to provide communities across the state with a clean and reliable supply of drinking water," Mr Toole said.

"It's clear this pipeline will be hugely beneficial to the entire region's water security."

Late last year, Leed Engineering & Construction was awarded the contract to design and construct the pipeline. The majority of the pipeline has been installed in road corridors, with only small sections on private land.

The project received $21.21 million in funding from the NSW Government’s Restart NSW Water Security for Regions program, set up to improve water security and help communities prepare for further drought conditions.

The total estimated cost of the new pipeline project is $28.7 million. This is funded by:

· NSW State Government - $21.21m

· Orange City Council - $5m

· CTW - $2.5m

Orange Mayor Reg Kidd said the new link between Blayney and Orange will be a major boost to local water instrastructure.

“What’s being built is a two-way pipeline which will allow water to be transferred to either centre’s water supply network if and when there is an emergency water issue at either water filtration plant,” Reg Kidd said.

“It’s a tremendous example of partnership between the NSW Government, Orange City Council and Central Tablelands Water to deliver the long term infrastructure the region needs.”

Central Tablelands Water (CTW ) Chairman David Somervaille said he was delighted with the progress on building the pipeline.

“The new pipeline from Carcoar to Millthorpe will replace the existing pipeline used to supply water to Millthorpe,” Mr Somervaille said.

“This pipeline was due to be replaced in 11 years’ time and that would have cost CTW an estimated $13 million. Because of this funding partnership, CTW is getting around $15 million worth of new water infrastructure for its contribution of only $2.5m.

“We’re always planning for the future and this project has let CTW bring forward its capital works program by 10 to 12 years by replacing the water trunk mains between Millthorpe, Blayney and Carcoar. This level of new infrastructure will be used every day to continue to provide a quality water supply to our consumers."