20kms of Goldfields Pipeline to be replaced near Coolgardie and Baandee

• $27.5 million project to replace 20 kilometres of the historic Goldfields Pipeline
• Replacement will improve reliability of water supply 

Work has begun to replace two sections of the historic ‘locking bar’ Goldfields Pipeline, which have stood the test of time having been installed almost 115 years ago.

Two projects will each replace 10 kilometre sections near Baandee and Coolgardie, which will help prevent future leaks and breaks.

The 566-kilometre-long Goldfields Pipeline forms part of the Goldfields and Agricultural Water Supply Scheme, which supplies nearly 23 billion litres of water to 100,000 people from Mundaring Weir, all the way to Kalgoorlie. The scheme is made up of 9,600 kilometres of pipe in total.

Work to replace the two sections of pipe is expected to be completed in July 2017.

The contract for the two projects was awarded to Georgiou Group and they will engage up to 100 workers to carry out the upgrades.

Comments attributed to Water Minister Dave Kelly:

“Since the historic pipeline opened in 1903 it has been continuously upgraded to meet demand and maintain its status as a world class water supply scheme.

“I am pleased the expertise of local subcontractors from Maddington, Kwinana and Merredin are being used for these projects, which will employ up to 100 Western Australian’s. 

“People travelling along the Great Eastern Highway near Baandee and Coolgardie may notice work under way to replace sections of the historic Goldfields Pipeline.

“Please take care if travelling along the Highway in these areas over the next few months as these significant projects are completed.”