Melbourne-Geelong Pipeline contract awarded

Work on the Melbourne-Geelong Pipeline is progressing with the contract for the pipes, valves and fittings awarded to Australian-owned company Fibrelogic.

Barwon Water has awarded the contract to Fibrelogic, who have also worked on other water infrastructure projects including the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline and the Robinvale Irrigation Project.

The 59km pipeline will be 800mm in diameter and will provide up to 16 billion litres of water a year, or 50 per cent of Geelong's current demand.

Water Minister Tim Holding said the pipeline is the biggest project in Barwon Water's history.

"It has created jobs for 60 people during the design phase and will create an extra estimated 200 jobs during construction.

"Awarding the pipe contract is an important milestone. There was strong competition from international and domestic pipe suppliers and we are pleased that this pipe will be manufactured in Australia."

The Melbourne-Geelong Pipeline is a key component of the Victorian Water Grid and will allow Geelong to tap into Melbourne's major water projects like the desalination plant and the Sugarloaf Pipeline.

The pipeline is expected to be completed by the end of 2011 to coincide with the completion of the desalination plant.

Find out more about the Melbourne-Geelong Pipeline Project.