Bore under freeway for Darnum pipeline

Gippsland Water’s contractor has temporarily opened a 7.5m deep shaft beside Railway Avenue at Darnum to allow them to drill a pipeline under the freeway and railway.

Another temporary shaft will soon be opened on Main Street, near the general store. Traffic detours will be in place while the works are completed. Local residents have been notified.

Construction of the 150m sleeved pipeline under the transport corridor is due for completion mid-May.

The pipe under the freeway is part of the Moe-Warragul interconnector project.

Once operational, the interconnector will help to secure water supplies for West Gippsland by enabling the transfer of water in both directions between Moe and Warragul.

Horizontal directional drilling also will be employed in two other locations along the pipeline to avoid damaging sensitive areas including waterways and areas of Aboriginal cultural heritage.

This technique protects threatened native flora and fauna such as large Strzelecki gum trees, giant Gippsland earthworms and Warragul burrowing crayfish.

Construction of the pipeline is now 90 per cent complete, with reinstatement and testing underway.

Installation of the mechanical and electrical components for the pump stations associated with the project has commenced, and the interconnect is on track to be operational by 2019.