The Harden to Boorowa Pipeline Plan is Complete But There’s Still NO CASH!
The Harden to Boorowa Pipelineheads through local landowners properties on just a few occasions throughout the whole project.
They say you need a ‘shovel ready’ project to attract funding and it appears that Hilltops Council might have finally got one to appear like it is.
The highly fancied option of providing Boorowa with a clean and potable water supply is not a step closer but there is at least a plan and some sort of initial costing for the project. It will likely blow out when a 50 ton boulder is encountered in the ground that was unforeseeable, but that is water.
Make no mistake there is no cash to build it. None!
The pipeline, according to the report commences at Demondrille and runs east through the Murrimboola Creek in to Swift Street before running along other south eastern roads, before going north down Wynwood Road before joining The Burley Griffin Way and following the road to Cunningar. It has a pumping station at Cunningar before the pipeline heads left out the Cunningar Road towards Boorowa.
The most very strange aspect of the pipeline is that is does manage to ‘hug’ the area in the road reserve for maybe 99 percent of the area before somehow needing for reasons not clear, enter farm land, cross the road and then enter farm land on the other side of the road. Pipelines through farmland can attract compensation for the land owner when an easement is made, however, it’s unclear why it has to enter any farm land, and a pertinent question for those who authored the report and for the Council.
Councillors have been pleading for information regarding the location of the pipeline for more than 12 months and waiting for studies to be completed as to the feasibility of connecting to Goldenfields via Demondrille and providing a new pipeline to Boorowa. Boorowa has not been a part of the original proclamation to be included in the network and this will have to change. If resources are allocated from Goldenfields to the pipeline you can expect Councils and their representatives to be making major noise as they come under attack when work is not being done or up to standard.
The Recommendation given to Councillors at last night’s meeting was that Council:
a. Receive and note the report, and
b. Continue to advocate, along with the State Member for Cootamundra, to both State and Federal governments for funding for the project’s construction, and once constructed its’ ongoing maintenance.
This is all the Council can really do because as of today there is no cash! as stated.
No cash from Hilltops, no cash from Goldenfields and the cash to build it will come from state and federal government sources. Hilltops accounted for a deficit of $12.5 million for financial year 2024/25. There’s no cash there!
According to the report, “The Harden to Boorowa Pipeline has been Council’s preferred option for Boorowa’s water security since at least 2017. The project incorporates the supply of potable water from Goldenfields Water County Council (GWCC), as is currently the case for the Hilltops communities of Jugiong, Harden, Young and Galong.
“The design is based on the required flow demand, operating pressures, site topography, and ground conditions. The selected pipeline route minimises environmental impact, avoids existing
utilities where possible, and allows for ease of construction and maintenance.
Hydraulic design ensures adequate flow and pressure throughout the system under normal and peak demand conditions. Pipe diameters and materials have been selected to meet strength,
durability, and service life requirements.
The pipeline includes necessary accessories such as valves and hydrants to ensure safe operation and facilitate maintenance. Thrust protection has been provided at bends and fittings.
Appropriate trenching, bedding, and backfilling details have been incorporated based on site conditions. Special provisions are included for road crossings and other critical locations.
Throughout this project, Council has been in constant discussions with GWCC. GWCC has provided Council with a more accurate connection Section 64 charges. This more accurate
charges are in the vicinity of $12,000,000 for 1183 connections. This aligns with the updated GWCC charges.”
$10,143.70 per connection.
The updated cost estimate based on the detailed design is $56 million.
More to come.
