Goldfields Pipeline Planning for Renewal

What's happening?

The Goldfields pipeline was opened in 1903 and is still in use today. It is the main water supply for the Goldfields and Agricultural Region, providing water to over 100,000 customers.

Some sections of pipe are 120 years old and have reached the end of their useful life. We need to replace them to ensure a continued reliable water supply and to help cater for future development in the region.

Some of the above-ground sections we are replacing will need to be installed below-ground. This will help protect the pipe from external damage.

Where is this happening?

The pipeline travels through 10 local government areas from Mundaring to Kalgoorlie-Boulder.

The interactive map below shows the age of various sections of the pipe and whether they are currently installed above or below ground. Click on the map to navigate. For more information, use the map legend below or click the toggle button .

How will you preserve the heritage values of the pipeline?

Considered to be one of Australia’s greatest engineering achievements, the Goldfields Pipeline was included on the National Heritage List in 2011. It is protected under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

In January 2022 we received approval under the Act to gradually remove and repurpose above-ground sections of the Goldfields Pipeline. A condition of this approval is that we conduct a public history research project and prepare a Heritage Management Plan and Interpretation Strategy for the pipeline.

Completion of these activities will help preserve the Goldfields Pipeline’s heritage value for future generations. See our Public History Project Tab for more details.

Stories in the pipeline 

The ‘Stories in the pipeline’ project has now concluded and once again we thank everyone for taking the time to share their memories and stories of the Goldfields pipeline through the years.

We engaged Howard and Heaver Architects to undertake this public research project, to identify the community history and memories associated with the Goldfields Water Supply Scheme. This was completed as part of meeting the conditions of the EPBC Act approval for replacing ageing sections of the pipeline, while preserving its historical significance. 

The aim was to collect all the ‘water stories’ that are associated with the pipeline and the Goldfields Water Supply Scheme, acknowledging the varied meanings that this feat of engineering holds for the community of WA and how these meanings might be retained and interpreted as we upgrade the pipeline in stages over the next 70 years.  

We received many submissions and leads from the public, some of whom shared their memorabilia, family photos and newspaper clippings, which were delivered to Howard and Heaver locations in Albany, Bunbury and Kalgoorlie. Follow up interviews were also conducted either remotely or in-person by the consultant team to ensure that we captured as many personal stories as possible. 

A variety of engagement methods were used to attract submissions, including a week-long “roadshow” conducted by community engagement personnel travelling eastward from Mundaring to Kalgoorlie-Boulder. This included visits to local community hubs situated along the pipeline to facilitate more informal meetings and interviews, amongst many other engagement activities. 

The findings from this project has been presented in a research report, which is now available to view below.

This research report will directly inform the preparation of an updated heritage management plan and interpretation strategy for the pipeline, which will be published for public comment in 2024. 
These documents will then be sent to the Australian Heritage Council for endorsement and then the Federal Environment Minister for approval at the end of 2024. 

For more information about the overall project, please contact our Community Engagement Team.

What is the Goldfields Pipeline and what makes it unique?

The Goldfields Pipeline is the main water pipeline between Mundaring and Kalgoorlie. The pipeline was completed in 1903 and forms a main part of C Y O’Connor’s Goldfields Water Supply Scheme (GWSS). The GWSS was designed by WA’s Chief Engineer, Charles Yelverton O’Connor.

At the time of its construction, the Goldfields Pipeline was the longest freshwater pipeline in the world, at 560 kilometres.  

The GWSS was included on the National Heritage List in 2011 and is protected under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

Heritage listing provides formal recognition that a place or object has heritage significance for the community and is protected under law.

Are you taking away the Goldfields Pipeline?

No, we are simply replacing old sections of it. 

Even though sections of the pipeline have been continually replaced throughout its history, some sections are still the original pipe from 1903 and they need to be replaced in the coming years.
As the pipeline is on the National Heritage List, we require approval under the EPBC Act to remove these sections of the pipeline as it's upgraded. We received this approval in January 2022.  

What are you planning to do?

Firstly, we will complete a public history research project, an Interpretation Strategy and update our Heritage Management Plan, which we aim to finish by early 2024.

Once these actions are completed, we will progressively remove small (approximately 5 to 10 kilometre) aboveground sections of the Goldfields Pipeline and replace with new belowground pipe over the coming decades.

Why are you putting the pipeline underground?

The Goldfields Pipeline was originally laid below ground and was raised above ground in the 1930s so that leaks could be more easily identified. Parts of the pipeline are now more than a century old and are increasingly experiencing leaks and breaks.

Modern technological innovations have allowed sections of the pipeline to be replaced with below-ground pipe once again. New below-ground pipe is less prone to leaks and breaks and has a greater capacity to deliver safe and reliable water services that cater for the growth of the Goldfields and Agricultural Region.

What will happen with the old pipe once its replaced?

Some of the old pipeline will be safely disposed of, and other sections will be stabilised and retained in place to preserve its heritage values, in line with our Interpretation Strategy.

Under our EPBC Act Approval, Water Corporation is required to complete archival records for pipe upgrade projects, prior to removal of above ground pipe.

Water Corporation has recently upgraded a section of pipeline at Tammin with new below ground pipe installed. In preparation for the removal of the pipeline, we have prepared the following archival record:

Photographic Archival Record Main Conduit Water Main, Tammin – January 2021 / 20-619