Work has started on Sugarloaf pipeline

By Melissa Meehan
CONSTRUCTION has started on the controversial $750 million Sugarloaf Pipeline.
Water Minister Tim Holding was at the Sugarloaf Reservoir in Christmas Hills on Thursday to mark the start of works on the pipeline that will see water being piped from the Goulburn River near Yea, to Christmas Hills before going to Melbourne.
“The Sugarloaf Pipeline is a vital part of the Brumby Government’s water plan,” Mr Holding said.
“It is time to get on with delivering this key piece of the Victorian Water Grid, which will transfer Melbourne’s share of the water savings.”
Construction works began in Glenburn, the main construction operations centre for the pipeline, following the approval of an Environment Management Plan for the project.
The seven-acre site will be the “nerve centre” for the construction of the pipeline and houses the site offices, workshops and equipment.
Following his visit to the Sugarloaf Reservoir, Mr Holding then travelled to open the Goulburn Murray Water new treatment plant at Alexandra.
Dixons Creek residents joined other members of anti-pipeline group, Plug the Pipe, in a peaceful protest at the opening.
But, members of the group said they were disappointed that Mr Holding did not speak to them.
“He refused to meet with a delegation from Plug the Pipe, and also refused to speak with any of the assembled protestors, which was disappointing,” Ms Mullens said.
She said that while work on the pipeline had already started farmers and landowners remained committed to voicing their opposition to the pipeline.
On Friday, Melbourne Water reinforced the importance of water savings that will flow through the Sugarloaf Pipeline in securing Melbourne’s water supplies.
Acting managing director of Melbourne Water, Tony Antoniou, said the project was a critical part of diversifying water supply in the face of declining storage levels.
“As the organisation responsible for securing urban water supply, Melbourne Water is investing heavily in this project for two reasons – we believe the water savings are there and these savings are crucial for Melbourne,” Mr Antoniou said.