16 June 2023
Works have commenced to install fixed irrigation sprinklers, feeders and water pipelines at the Paynesville Water Recycling Plant’s (PWRP) Barkhill Road farm.
The farm currently has a mobile centre pivot irrigation system and the additional irrigation will cover a further 26 hectares, increasing the irrigated area to a total of 148 hectares.
East Gippsland Water’s Managing Director, Steve McKenzie said that this $3.6 million irrigation project is the first stage in the organisation’s longer-term capital works investment plan to improve wastewater recycling processes at Paynesville.
“These works are an essential step forward in managing our environmental protection systems and meeting our commitments to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).
“During the past couple of years, East Gippsland has experienced an unprecedented volume of rainfall and to ensure that we are prepared for future weather events and the challenges that these present to our water systems, we are investing in the necessary infrastructure to help mitigate impacts of extreme climatic conditions.
“The expanded irrigation area will also assist with future population growth.”
Maffra Trenching and Boring (MTB) Pty Ltd are undertaking the works that will take approximately four months to complete.
A facility master plan for the PWRP and Reuse Facility has been developed to achieve environmental compliance and service growth to 2043. The master plan identified that additional irrigation areas are required to meet current EPA compliance and current population load.
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