Goulburn-Murray Water (GMW) is halfway through its $2.5 million Winter Works program, with much of the important maintenance and refurbishment work being undertaken by local businesses and regional contractors.
The works are taking place across the irrigation delivery network in the winter shutdown period, in preparation for the opening of the 2020/21 irrigation season on August 15.
GMW General Manager Infrastructure Delivery Services Warren Jose said the regular maintenance works will keep the delivery system running efficiently to meet irrigation demands, with the flow-on effect of a large number of local businesses being employed to undertake the projects.
“Many of the contractors, labour hire and casuals we’re using in our Winter Works program are based in the region, which means a significant amount of money is being spent with local businesses,” Mr Jose said.
“We would like to thank everyone for their hard work on the Winter Works program, and we’re really pleased to be able to invest in the local economy – particularly during what is a difficult time for many businesses in the region.”
Local businesses working as part of the GMW Winter Works program include earthmoving contractors such as Darradean Excavations, Colman Contracting Services, Guiney Excavations, Elliott’s Excavation, and Brian and Ada’s Tipping.
“We would also like to thank local engineering firms and product suppliers such as CAF Consulting, Holcim, Mawsons, Milcast and Boral Construction, plus our electrical partners SCD Tech, Watters Electrical, Tippy Pak, Middencorp Electric and Delta Electrical Distributors,” Mr Jose said.
The 2020 Winter Works program includes:
- Remodelling 2.3km of channel to reduce ongoing and future maintenance costs
- Replacement or refurbishment of 25 structures, including road crossings, bridges and culverts
- Installation and replacement of 29 metered outlets across the region
- Railway crossing upgrade at Byrneside
- Taylor’s Creek channel remodelling
- Tungamah pipeline pump station refurbishment
- Desilting of silt affected channels with 12 excavators in use across the GMID
- Upper Deakin Drainage program to remove obstructions throughout the course
Until August there will be more traffic on local roads as GMW staff, contractors and suppliers, together with heavy slow moving machinery travel to and from local work sites in your area.
“With fog and the wetter conditions of winter, we’re asking for the assistance and understanding of the local community as we carry out these projects so important to efficient water delivery and the prosperity of our region,” Mr Jose said.
“We are also asking landowners not to approach our staff and contractors, who are actively practising physical distancing requirements.”