Vic YPF: site-seeing at Sugarloaf

The 70 km Sugarloaf Pipeline – also known as the North South Pipeline – is part of the Victorian Government’s Our Water, Our Future program. The project will connect the Goulburn River to Melbourne’s Sugarloaf Reservoir to allow the transfer of 75 billion litres of water to Melbourne by 2010.

Pipe and Civil was subcontracted by construction contractor John Holland to construct the first 37 km of the pipeline from the Goulbourn River pump station to the base of the Great Dividing Range at Glenburn. The scope of the works included excavation, pipelaying, welding, coating reinstatement, and backfilling of the pipeline. It also includes the installation of minor pipeline structures including air and scour valves.

The young pipeliners were greeted by Pipe and Civil Project Manager William Weaver, and Project Engineer Ross Miller on arrival and given a thorough induction prior to stepping onto the pipeline spread.

Once everyone had been kitted out with the appropriate personal protection equipment, the group was ready to visit various sites along the Sugarloaf Pipeline spread. Mr Weaver took the group to various sites along the spread including the Goulburn River pump station.

The pump station facilities included a storage or balancing tank approximately 7 ML in capacity, 30 m in diameter and a high lift pumping station to deliver the water to the Sugarloaf Reservoir via the Sugarloaf Pipeline.

The group was also shown a wide variety of pipeline construction activities including road crossing, pipe installation works and reinstatement procedures.

Mr Weaver highlighted the importance of the reinstatement process, particularly on a pipeline that has attracted much public interest.

Thanks to Sargent for providing the transport to the construction site, and to Pipe and Civil for the tour. Particular thanks go to Mr Weaver for providing detailed explanations of the works witnessed as well as many anecdotes on the bus rides in between sites.

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