Thursday 16 February 2012

Tamworth Regional Council took another step towards breaking ground on the Split Rock Dam to Barraba Pipeline this week when it formally accepted the funding offers from the State and Federal governments.

Councillors decided on Tuesday night at the first council meeting for 2012 to accept the terms and conditions of the funding agreements which will now be signed and have the Seal of Council affixed.

The State Government has offered a maximum of $6.75 million while the Federal Government has offered a maximum of $6.55 million for the $19.66 million project. Tamworth Regional Council has set aside its share of funding for the pipeline project - $6.36 million - in the 2011-2014 Management Plan.

A report tabled at Tuesday night’s meeting included a detailed timeline for the project and indicated the work is expected to be completed by May 2014.

A 27 kilometre pipeline will be built from Split Rock Dam to Barraba to ensure local residents have access to a quality water supply. The  referred route, along Oakhampton Rd and The Fossickers Way, is mostly along road reserves and some privately-owned land.

Tamworth Regional Council Director Water Enterprises Bruce Logan said a range of preliminary planning for the project has already taken place.

'The execution of the funding agreements will mean Council is now able to move ahead with the project because any funds spent will now be subsidised by the Federal and State contributions,’ he said.

'Yesterday quotations for on ground survey of the preferred pipeline route closed and a successful quote will be determined in the coming days.

'Once the survey work is completed in May, it will be provided to the successful consultant undertaking the detailed design of the pipeline.’

Council has already invited expressions of interest for the pre-selection of suitably experienced and resourced design consultants.

The expressions of interest close on February 29 and following pre-selection, the consultants will be invited to tender to undertake the design of the pipeline and ancillary works, including geotechnical analysis, preparation of a Review of Environmental Factors and the preparation of contract documents for construction of the works.

Mr Logan said the specific effects, if any, on individual property of the proposed pipeline route would also be able to be determined once the survey is complete. Council will then consider these effects as part of the detailed design process.

'Letters have been sent to property owners along the preferred route to advise them their property either adjoins or may be crossed by the proposed pipeline and the surveyors will soon be in the area to start survey work,’ he said.

'Neil Sharpham, who has been appointed the role of Barraba Pipeline Engineer, will be meeting with owners of property along the preferred route to discuss access arrangements.’

Tamworth Regional Council Mayor Col Murray said the pipeline is a key priority for the Council.

'We are keen to get the project moving along for the people of Barraba,’ he said. 'But we know they understand a project of this size takes a lot of detailed planning and Council will continue to keep them informed of the progress we are making.

'Council wants to get the pipeline built as quickly as possible and we are aiming for completion in May 2014,’ he said.

'We know how important this is to the Barraba community.’

Barraba Pipeline timeline

A project timeline has been developed and the key activity milestones are shown in the table.

Key Milestones	Target Commencement	Target Completion
Consult with landholders	Commenced	Ongoing
SURVEY
Field Survey and Drafting	24 February 2012	May 2012
DESIGN
Expressions of Interest	Commenced	February 2012
Engage Design Consultant	April 2012
Design Concept Report		August 2012
Detailed Design	June 2012	October 2012
Prepare Contract Documents	August 2012	October 2012
CONSTRUCTION
Call Tenders	November 2012	December 2012
Contract Award		February/March 2013
Construct Pipeline and Ancillary Works	April/May 2013	February/March 2014
Contract Completion		April/May 2014
PROJECT COMPLETION		May 2012