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Sugarloaf Pipeline Project - News and Events

Last updated 8/8/2008

State Planning Approval - 8/8/08

The Victorian Planning Minister has endorsed the preferred corridor for the Sugarloaf Pipeline.

The Minister’s approval is subject to a number of conditions aimed at ensuring the project’s environmental effects are minimised.

Details about the decision, the approved corridor plans and the Advisory Committee report the Minister used to inform his decision can be viewed at the Department of Planning and Community Development website.

Federal Government approval of those aspects of the project that come under Commonwealth legislation is still pending.

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Proposed Investigative Works - 27/7/08

Investigative digging and drilling is taking place on a property at Killingworth, at the site designated for the Sugarloaf Pipeline's low lift pump station.

From Monday 28 July work commenced to assess soil, rock and groundwater properties at that location. The results of these investigations will help determine the most suitable design and construction methods for the pump station.

These investigation works will involve:

  • digging three test pits 1 x 4 x 5metres in size
  • drilling 19 bores of between 6 and 35metres, and
  • installing 6 observation wells 20cm in diameter

It will take approximately:

  • 2 - 3 days to excavate the test pits
  • 3 - 4 weeks to complete drilling, and
  • 1 week to conduct groundwater investigations

All necessary permissions have been obtained to allow this work to proceed. The Sugarloaf Pipeline Alliance is authorised by Melbourne Water to conduct this work.

A work area has been fenced off at the site to ensure safety for the public and project staff, and to provide security for works and equipment.

Further details are available in a page of Frequently Asked Questions (PDF 45kb) and in the Test Pitting Fact Sheet (PDF 67kb).

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Regional Benefits Advisory Committee - 17/6/08

Expressions of interest are invited for the Regional Benefits Advisory Committee.

Further information about the Committee, including an application form, are available on the Regional Benefits page.

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Public Hearings - 22/05/08

Public hearings into the Project Impact Assessment (PIA) Report concluded on Thursday 17 April 2008.

The hearings were conducted by an Advisory Committee, appointed by the Victorian Minister for Planning.

The Committee had four weeks from the end of the hearings to finalise their report for the Victorian Minister for Planning and Federal Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts.

More information on the hearings, the Advisory Committee, and the planning process is available on the Planning Approval Process page.

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Alignment selection process - 17/04/08

Pipeline design has progressed to the stage that a preferred alignment has been proposed and was presented during the Advisory Committee hearings.

This follows the release of a number of preferred corridor options in February 2008 as part of the PIA.

Since then a considerable amount of more detailed information has been gained about flora, fauna and cultural heritage issues and values. Refinement of the preferred corridor options has also been guided by discussions with many of the affected landowners about where the pipe could be aligned on their property to cause minimal impact to them and their land use.

Letters were recently sent to owners and occupiers advising whether they are impacted by the proposed preferred alignment or not. An updated map was also distributed and is available on the Maps and Documentation page.

Two notable features at the southern end of the proposed preferred alignment are the removal of Hunts Lane as a preferred option and the use of the existing Melbourne Water pipetrack easement in the section between Gulf Road and Steels Creek Road.

The preferred alignment proposal remains a work in progress and is subject to the recommendations of the Advisory Committee and approval by the State Minister for Planning and Federal Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts.

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Project Impact Assessment: Submissions Period - 19/03/08

The Project Impact Assessment Report was released on 19 February and placed on exhibition for public comment until 18 March 2008.

For information regarding the planning process, or to view the report online, visit the Planning Approval Process page.

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Federal Government endorses approval process - 16/02/08

The Federal Government has endorsed the planning and environment process adopted for the Sugarloaf Pipeline Project by the State Government last year.

Australian Government - referral decision on assessment approach
Media Release - Federal Govt accredits planning and environment process (PDF, 17kb)

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Contact us

For more information about the Sugarloaf Pipeline Project:
Call toll free - 1800 453 753 or contact us online.

For more information about the Food Bowl Modernisation Project:
Contact the Department of Sustainability and Environment Call Centre -136 186

For more information on The Next Stage of the Government's Water Plan:
Visit Our Water, Our Future
View the 12 month progress report