The North–South Pipeline, also known as the Sugarloaf Pipeline, is a water pipeline in Central Victoria, Australia, north-east of Melbourne that is part of Victoria's water system, acting as a link between Melbourne's water grid and the Murray-Goulburn water grid, supplying water via a series of existing and proposed pipelines. The 70-kilometre pipeline was connected to Melbourne in February 2010 to carry water from the Goulburn River to Melbourne's Sugarloaf Reservoir. It is the government's policy that it only be used in times of critical human need: when Melbourne's total water storages are less than 30% full on 30 November of any year. The pipeline can transfer a portion of Lake Eildon's water that is set aside for Melbourne, called the critical water reserve. This was 38,400 megalitres at 2 June 2014, and any changes are based on Goulburn-Murray Water's advice. The North–South Pipeline was presented through the late 2000s as being part of the Victorian government's "Our Water, Our Future", which included other major projects such as the Wonthaggi Desalination Plant, the Cardinia Pipeline and a proposed interconnector to Geelong. The pipeline runs between a location on the Goulburn River, near Yea and heads south towards the Sugarloaf Reservoir north-east of Melbourne, along the Melba Highway. The Goulburn River is a major tributary of the Murray-Darling river system and major agricultural region, whilst Sugarloaf Reservoir is a major storage reservoir for Melbourne's water supply. The pipeline cost $750 million and was delivered under an alliance model between Melbourne Water, John Holland, Sinclair Knight Merz and GHD. The pipeline is expected to add up to 75 billion litres annually to Melbourne's water supply, roughly one third of the 225 gigalitres proposed to be saved by irrigation and modernisation plans and projects in northern Victoria's Murray-Goulburn Irrigation District. The 225 gigalitres in savings is intended to be split 75 to Melbourne, 75 to irrigators and 75 to the watercourses themselves.
Context
In 2007, the Victorian Government announced the "Foodbowl Modernisation Plan" to save 225 gigalitres (GL) of water through a $1 billion investment in the Murray–Goulburn Gravity Irrigation Districts. This was later increased to $2 billion with another 200 GL of savings identified. The Goulburn is Victoria's largest and longest river, accounting for an average annual flow of 3,040 GL. Of this, about 700 GL is used within the Goulburn-Broken basin, and a further 850 GL transferred to irrigation areas outside the basin. After transmission losses of about 670 GL, a net outflow from the basin to the Murray of 350 GL remains. The population of the basin from this source is given as 100,000. Including Shepparton, Echuca and the tributary Broken catchment- it is estimated at 250,000. The notion of diverting water out of the Murray Darling Basin to provide urban water supply has stirred emotions among country and city residents. Diverting water between basins is not new however. The Snowy Mountains Scheme diverts Snowy River flows from its own catchment to the Murray Darling Basin in earlier decades. This source supplies 2,100 GL of water for generating power and providing irrigation water. This compares with the 75 GL contested water savings to be diverted out of the Basin for urban use. Although most people in Victoria live in Melbourne, the city only uses 8% of the regulated surface water, the major portion going to irrigation supply. As of September 2009, Melbourne's water storages were less than 30% full prior to the onset of the drier summer period. This situation had generally worsened over the course of previous twelve years. Inflows into Melbourne's storages over that twelve-year period averaged almost 40% less than the previous long-term average. As of 2009, consumption in Melbourne was about 450 GL /year. With decreasing inflows to its water catchments and continuing population growth, a shortfall of supply of up to 200 GL / year is anticipated by 2055. A number of strategies have been proposed, including reducing individual consumer demand, recycling "grey" water and sewerage, various means of conservation, and sourcing additional water from elsewhere: including the Goulburn River and Kilcunda desalination plant. The strategy proposes to meet the projected shortfall of demand over existing supply 42% from conservation, and 53% from additional sources. South-eastern Australia experienced widespread drought at the beginning of the 21st century, which has been linked to human-induced climate change. This has impacted upon rainfall in the region. The amount of water in Melbourne's water storage dams decreased between 1998 and 2009, as a result of those droughts, despite frequent water-usage restrictions. In June 2007, the Victorian Government released their water plan, Our Water Our Future. As part of this plan, the government announced its intention to develop a seawater reverse osmosis desalination plant and construct a pipeline to augment Melbourne's water supply, as well as other regional supply systems. With the completion of the pipeline and desalination plant, it is anticipated that certain water restrictions will be removed.
Route The pipeline traverses a distance of approximately 70 km from a location on the Goulburn River, near Yea (37.163793°S 145.423265°E / -37.163793; 145.423265) and heads in a south-southeast direction towards the Sugarloaf Reservoir (37.669436°S 145.307944°E / -37.669436; 145.307944) northeast of Melbourne. The route travels roughly alongside the Melba Highway, southwards, until it splits in its direction towards the reservoir. The pipeline's route cuts through parts of the Kinglake National Park and Toolangi State Forest.
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