Ararat primed for pipeline

Ararat district farming communities will soon be tapping into piped water in a development promising a significant boost to agricultural prospects in the region’s southeast.

Guarantees of high-quality water via an East Grampians Rural Pipeline will add operational security for growers in what many in the industry consider some of the highest-potential farmland in Australia.

The Federal Government’s $32-million commitment for the 1600-kilometre pipeline earlier this month provided the final green light for the project. The money matched a State Government commitment from last year and Gwmwater and landholders will provide the balance.

For Ballyrogan farmer Dan Jess, who operates a 2150-hectare sheep and cropping business, the prospect of having high-quality Grampians water on tap means a combination of security to opportunity.

“It’s a game changer. It means we will have an assured supply of quality water and won’t be guessing whether we have enough or whether it’s of good enough quality,” he said.

“We’ve traditionally relied on dam fills in from run-off but in the last 20 years that has become more and more unreliable.

“We’ve had to explore other ways of sourcing water – we’ve tried groundwater but it has been borderline quality for stock and in some circumstances the animals haven’t done particularly well.

“It’s been a battle. We’ve had to cart a lot of water and there has definitely been a limitation on how much stock we can run and problems with finishing lambs over summer.”

Mr Jess said the prospect of having guaranteed water would help dramatically in farm management and help counter the impact of severe events such as late frost.

“We have half the farm in cropping, but in the past couple of years there has been an unreliability with frosts and dry springs. Being able to run a few more sheep would help get the risk out of cropping,” he said.

“I’m really happy and excited. The pipeline is going to make a big difference to us and what we can do.”

Gwmwater is hosting information sessions about the East Grampians Rural Pipeline for landholders at Tatyoon from 10am to noon today and in Gum San Great hall in Ararat between 6.30pm and 8.30pm tomorrow.

Gwmwater managing director Mark Williams said the federal funding meant the project could proceed as originally planned.

“Access to reliable, high-quality water supplies will help provide growth opportunities and reduce risk, enabling agricultural enterprises to consolidate and expand,” he said.

“It will also provide opportunities for new enterprises to be developed.

“We’ve submitted our Environment Effects Assessment and the next step is ensuring all interested landholders have submitted an Expression of Interest so we can plan the route and connection points for the pipeline to meet the needs of as many landholders as possible.”

The sessions at Tatyoon and Ararat will focus on providing a project update and demonstrating the benefits of a secure, piped water supply.

They will also provide funding and project updates, outline an expression-of-interest process, costs involved and early sign-up incentives.

Landholders can also call Gwmwater on 1300 659 961 or visit website www.gwmwater.org.au/egrp for information.

Wimmera-mallee Pipeline, which runs from the Grampians to deep in the Mallee, and a Northern Mallee Pipeline in western Victoria have had a profound impact on other areas of the region.

New Member for Mallee Anne Webster has also declared she will fight for a proposed West Wimmera Pipeline.