About the project

Birregurra’s water is sourced from the open Wurdee Boluc and Birregurra channels (supplied by the West Barwon Reservoir, just outside of Forrest), and is stored in open basins prior to treatment.

Barwon Water plans to build a new underground pipeline to connect Birregurra to the Colac water supply system. The upgrade will ensure we can continue to provide high quality, affordable and secure services for our existing customers, as well as cater for future growth.

Why has Barwon Water decided to build a pipeline from Colac?

Barwon Water’s engineers and planners weighed up the pros and cons of a treatment plant upgrade versus a new pipeline. Our assessment showed the pipeline has many benefits to customers, community and the environment including:

• increased water security for Birregurra, without impacting Colac’s water security
• addressing water quality risks and low pressure
• reduced greenhouse gas emissions and water losses
• improved bushfire resilience
• keeping water bills affordable.

Read the Latest News below for more detail on this.

The pipeline

The alignment of the pipeline and associated infrastructure follows a combination of road reserves (including Woodrowvale/Kettles Road, Colac-Forrest Road and Colac-Lorne Road) and crosses farmland in places from Forrest Street, Colac, where it connects to the Colac supply system, before connecting into the Birregurra water supply network at Bowden Street.

Above ground infrastructure, such as tanks and a pressure reducing valve (PRV) will be constructed along the pipeline alignment. The alignment has the pipeline travelling through a mixture of private land and road reserves and we will be in touch with individual landowners who may be impacted.

Image - a map of the final pipeline alignment

Construction

Construction is scheduled to commence in May 2023 and be completed by mid-2024. Construction activities will occur Monday to Friday, between 7am and 6pm. If Saturday work is required, it will take place between 7am and 1pm.

During construction, there will be some local impacts. Barwon Water apologises for this inconvenience, and we will aim to minimise impacts to the local community. Below is some helpful information to be aware of.

Construction area

All construction activities will take place within road reserve, some private properties (these property owners are aware of the works) and in some locations, the road itself. Temporary fencing and/or traffic management will be in place to ensure public and worker safety during construction. Please be mindful of construction vehicles entering and exiting roads along the construction area.

Traffic impacts

During works, there will be some altered traffic conditions including:

• Single lane closures will be in place at different stages of the works on Woodrowvale Road, Kettles Road, Springs Road, Colac-Lorne Road, Dunlops Road, Birregurra-Yeodene Road and Bowden Street.
• Access to Belverdere Drive from Woodrowvale Road will temporarily close for 1-2 days in the early stage of works. Access to Woodrowvale Road will remain open and detours will be in place to allow local access to Belvedere Road from the south.
• The southern end of Dunlops Road will close temporarily. Alternative access for local traffic will be arranged.
• Signage and traffic management will be in place to ensure the safe and efficient movement of pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles.

Barwon Water will confirm dates and times for these altered traffic conditions and encourages the local community to allow extra time to complete journeys safely.

Maintaining private property and emergency services

Access to private properties for residents and emergency services will be maintained throughout the works. In the event we need to alter any access to private property driveways, Barwon Water will be in contact to discuss this, ahead of any works commencing.

Noise

There may be some increased noise, dust and vibrations. Barwon Water will aim to minimise impacts to residents.

Site facilities

A temporary site office will be established on the grounds of council property at the intersection of Kettles Road and Old Yeo Road. This will remain in place for the duration of the project.

Caring for the environment

Some trees and vegetation will be removed to enable the construction of the pipeline. Barwon Water has conducted detailed flora and fauna assessments to ensure minimal disruption to native plants and animals during construction. All construction activities will be undertaken in accordance with an approved planning permit which includes conditions for environmental offsets to protect and enhance habitats in nearby areas.

Your water supply

Some properties connected to Barwon Water’s network may experience disruptions to their water service during the works. If this impacts your property, you will be notified with further information.