East Grampians Rural Pipeline

The East Grampians Rural Pipeline will secure the future of the region by providing a reliable, secure supply of high-quality water year-round.

Access to reliable, high-quality water supplies will help to provide growth opportunities and reduce risk, enabling existing agricultural enterprises to consolidate and expand, and providing opportunities for new enterprises to be developed.

A piped water supply would also provide ongoing water security for townships in the region as well as significant economic, social, recreational and environmental benefits to the region.

GWMWater has appointed Wangaratta-based Dunstans Construction Group to deliver early work for the East Grampians Rural Pipeline. Dunstans will be working through the planning approvals and design prior to commencing construction. Interest sub-contractors should register their interest via the Dunstans Employment and Supplier Portal. 

Landholders are encouraged to return Heads of Agreement documents as soon as possible to ensure land is included in the project scope.

Latest Updates

In the Pipeline... (Edition #11, issued 17 November 2021)

In the Pipeline... (Edition #10, issued 23 September 2021)

In the Pipeline... (Edition #9, issued 15 June 2021)

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Planning Scheme Amendment
GWMWater is pleased to be in the final stages of requesting an amendment to the planning schemes of Ararat Rural City Council, Northern Grampians Shire Council and Pyrenees Shire Council, which will allow the project to proceed with approval from the Minister for Planning and not require planning permissions from local government. The amendment will apply a Specific Controls Overlay to the land required for the project and insert an Incorporated Document into the Ararat, Northern Grampians and Pyrenees Planning Schemes which will allow the use and development of the land in accordance with this document. Given the extensive public engagement undertaken over the past three years, GWMWater is requesting that the Minister for Planning facilitate this amendment without the requirement for further public exhibition. The final draft planning scheme amendment documents can be viewed here:

• Ararat - Clause 45.12 - Schedule Change - EGRP
• Ararat - Clause 72.04 - Schedule Change - EGRP
• Explanatory Report - DRAFT - EGRP project
• Incorporated Document - DRAFT - EGRP project
• Northern Grampians - Clause 45.12 - Schedule Change - EGRP
• Northern Grampians - Clause 72.04 - Schedule Change - EGRP
• Pyrenees - Clause 45.12 - New Overlay - EGRP
• Pyrenees - Clause 45.12 - Schedule Change - EGRP
• Pyrenees - Clause 72.04 - Schedule Change - EGRP

Decision under Environment Effects Act

The Minister for Planning has decided that an Environment Effects Statement (EES) is not required for the East Grampians Rural Pipeline.Read more: REFERRAL 2019-R01.

Expressions of Interest now closed

Expressions of Interest (EOI) to be included in the pipeline design have now closed. EOIs can still be submitted, but your property will not be included in the pipeline design if it is not already fronted by a proposed pipe alignment.

Service area and preliminary network design

On completion, the scheme may service up to 1500 rural farming properties over an area of up to 330,000 hectares with a reticulated non-drinking water supply. 

We are pleased to share the preliminary pipe alignments for the East Grampians Rural Pipeline project.  Click here to view the interactive map in full screen. 

Please note that all pipe alignments are subject to change due to physical site conditions, customer interest and outcomes of cultural heritage and environmental investigations. The map will be updated as more information becomes available and the project progresses.

View larger map

What you need to know

We have created a series of fact sheets which will help you with what you need to know and do to connect to the East Grampians Pipeline.

East Grampians Rural Pipeline - Overview (3MB, 2 pages)

East Grampians Rural Pipeline - Planning (6.5MB, 3 pages)

East Grampians Rural Pipeline - Connection (6.4MB, 4 pages)

East Grampians Rural Pipeline - Transitioning from an existing supply to a Rural Pipeline Supply (4MB, 3 pages)

East Grampians Rural Pipeline - Construction Frequently Asked Questions (2MB, 3 pages)

On-Farm Water Reticulation Guide

We've published a comprehensive On-Farm Water Reticulation Guide to help you design and install your on-farm system. The guide provides practical and technical advice covering all aspects of a piped on-farm system. Download a copy or contact us to get your free printed copy of the guide.

On Farm Water Reticulation Guide

Online water calculator available

To assist landholders with calculating water requirements, we encourage landholders to use Agriculture Victoria’s water calculator by visiting their website at http://calculator.agriculture.vic.gov.au/fwcalc/step/home

Benefits to the community

A pipeline providing water to currently unserviced areas could:

• allow existing agricultural enterprises to consolidate and expand knowing they have access to a reliable, high quality water supply 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• encourage new enterprises and investment to the region with the certainty of continued access to water.
• improve the security and quality of water supply to the townships of Maroona, Westmere, Streatham, Tatyoon and Ross Bridge.
• increase environmental/cultural benefits associated with local landscapes, waterways and wetlands by relieving some of the reliance on catchment dams to intercept water.

Read some case studies about how connecting to rural piped water has benefited landholders in our community.