Work on laying a pipeline to give water security to several towns is making good progress – thanks to a lack of rain.
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About 18 kilometres of the 61-kilometre path between Orange and Carcoar has been completed.
Work started in Orange in April and the $35 million project was now approaching Millthorpe.
Central Tablelands Water (CTW) general manager Gavin Rhodes said, ironically, the lack of rain was helping work progress on the pipeline which will provide water security for Orange and towns on its path.
Spring Hill and Lucknow are currently fed by bores.
“The dry weather of recent months is not good for our farmers, but it’s ideal weather for putting the pipeline into the ground,” he said.
“Most of the pipeline route is running alongside local roads.
“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.”
Mr Rhodes said Leeds Engineering and Construction was awarded the contract last year.
“It varies from site to site depending on what’s underground but the Leeds Engineering and Construction crews can lay between 100 and 500 metres of pipe a day.
“They’ll be working from Millthorpe toward Blayney and Carcoar in the coming months.”
The work was on Millthorpe Road between Williams Lane and Millthorpe last week.
It is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Orange mayor John Davis said the council was working with CTW on the project, which is largely funded by a $21 million investment from the state government as a part of a statewide program.
“This is going to be an important piece of long-term infrastructure for the Central West,” he said.
“It’s great we’re working together to get on with the job.”
The pipes are largely being laid along road reserves, however there are sections that need to go through private property.
The pipeline will end at the Carcoar Water Filtration Plant.
Pumping stations will be installed to allow the water flow to be bi-directional.
That will ensure that if there were any plant failures or water contamination supply could be guaranteed.
Work is underway on a pumping station at the Spring Creek Dam.
David Fitzsimons
I am a senior journalist at the Central Western Daily concentrating on council, government and real estate issues. Before moving to Orange I filled senior roles at the Daily Telegraph, Daily Telegraph-Mirror and the Daily Mirror in Sydney. They included being an editor, news editor, chief of staff and reporter.
I am a senior journalist at the Central Western Daily concentrating on council, government and real estate issues. Before moving to Orange I filled senior roles at the Daily Telegraph, Daily Telegraph-Mirror and the Daily Mirror in Sydney. They included being an editor, news editor, chief of staff and reporter.
