New pipeline project making progress, reaches Blayney Shire boundary

19 July 2017

The project of building the Orange to Carcoar water security pipeline is making good progress with the beginning of pipe-laying in Blayney Shire.

Since work began in April this year, around 18 kilometres of pipeline has been laid in the Orange area.

Work is progressing along Millthorpe Road between Williams Lane towards the village of Millthorpe and work crews have now crossed the council boundary into Blayney Shire.

Central Tablelands Water General Manager Gavin Rhodes said he was pleased with the signs of progress.

“The dry weather of recent months is not good for our farmers, but it’s ideal weather for putting pipeline in the ground,” Gavin Rhodes said.

“Most of the pipeline route is running alongside local roads and locals have noticed the route survey pegs along the roads around the Blayney Shire. We’ve been very much looking forward to the arrival of the work crews.”

“It varies from site to site depending on what’s under the ground, but the Leed Engineering & Construction crews can lay between 100 and 500 metres of pipe a day. They’ll be working from Millthorpe towards Blayney and Carcoar in the coming months.”

BOUNDARY : Pipe-laying work crews have reached the boundary of Blayney Shire Council.

Orange mayor John Davis OAM said Orange City Council was pleased to work in partnership with Central Tablelands Water.

“This is going to be an important piece of long term infrastructure for the central west, and it’s great we’re working together to get on with the job,” Cr John Davis said.

These works are being largely funded by a $21.21 million investment from the NSW Government through the Restart NSW Water Security for Regions program.

The pipeline includes a number of new pump stations which moves the water through the pipeline. Work is also under way on a new pump station near the Spring Creek dam, near Orange.

The project is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The 61-kilometre water pipeline is being constructed from Orange to Carcoar.

Work is happening in a number of different locations along the pipeline route, which stretches from Orange, through Spring Hill, Millthorpe, Blayney and Carcoar.

Late last year, Leed Engineering & Construction was awarded the contract to design and construct the pipeline, that’s designed to improve water access and security in areas serviced by Orange City Council and Central Tablelands Water.

The majority of the pipeline is being built 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.

EQUIPMENT : A large flow meter has been installed at the location on the pipeline where water from Blayney Shire area would meet water from the Orange City Council area. The meter is designed to measure how much water flows in either direction.