Work underway on new Maryborough water supply

Investigative work has begun on developing the new multi-million groundwater supply in the Moolort Aquifer that will provide up to an additional 505 ML of water each year into the Maryborough & District Water Supply system.

A license to construct a test bore has recently been received from Goulburn Murray Water and Central Highlands Water are now able to commence construction to confirm the characteristics of the underground water reserves. This will provide information to help configure the production bore to ensure it provides a sustainable source of water.

Managing Director of Central Highlands Water, Mr Neil Brennan, said that Maryborough’s water supply as with other supplies throughout the region had been hit hard by the dramatic reduction in rainfall during the drought.

“We’ve investigated a number of options to secure Maryborough’s water supply and this option will provide a boost to both local water resources and local confidence,” said Mr Brennan.

Mr Brennan said that the multi-million dollar investment was made possible by the proposed price increases in the Water Plan which would generate additional revenue to secure the region’s water resources.

Central Highlands Water staff are working closely with staff from the Goldfields Shire Council to ensure local planning and engineering requirements are well understood as part of the pre-construction phase. These include the construction of pipeline in road easements, road crossings and traffic management.

It is anticipated that the test groundwater bore will be constructed during September and the final production groundwater bore will be operational by mid 2008.