Darnum pipeline adds to network

Construction of a pipeline under the freeway and railway at Darnum will complete a water network linking the Moe and Tarago water supply systems.

With the pipeline now complete Gippsland Water will commission the full length of the interconnector, which is expected to be fully operational next year.

Gippsland Water acting managing director Angelo Saridis said installing a large diameter pipeline under the railway and freeway had proven a challenge.

“A major concern was the possibility of subsidence under the railway,” he said.

“The solution was micro-tunnelling, which involved boring and placing a sleeve pipe in the same action so that the surrounding earth was always fully supported and there was no risk of subsidence.

“The railway is adjacent to the freeway, so it made sense to micro tunnel under both at the same time.

“This required opening deep shafts beside Railway Avenue and near the general store to allow our contractors to drill the pipeline under the transport corridors.

“We thank the Darnum community for their understanding during the works.”

Mr Saridis said with Warragul and Drouin rapidly growing, there was a need to ensure reliability of high-quality water for residents and industry.

“The long-standing local supply system is being challenged by rapid population growth, particularly in dry conditions,” he said.

“We are committed to establishing a water network which will provide a secure water supply to our communities.

“The new Moe-Warragul interconnecting pipeline will enable us to transfer an additional eight million litres a day between the Moe system and the Tarago system supplying Warragul and Drouin.”

The project will be complete following reinstatement of work areas and testing the pipeline and associated pump stations.