Contracts awarded for works on $543m Goldfields & Agricultural Water Supply Scheme upgrade

The $543 million upgrade of the Goldfields and Agricultural Water Supply Scheme (GAWSS) is progressing with contracts awarded to replace 44.5 kilometres of ageing sections of the Goldfields Pipeline.

Western Australia based Georgiou Group and the SRG Global McConnell Dowell Joint Venture will be carrying out pipeline replacement works, as part of Stage 1 of the GAWSS program, using pipe sections locally manufactured in the State.

The contracts are expected to generate more than 230 jobs.

The first stage of the GAWSS upgrade includes pipeline renewal, valve upgrades, and duplication of the Binduli Reservoir.

The project will unlock up to 7.2 million litres of additional daily capacity across the Scheme – a 10 per cent increase prior to upgrading – to help meet growing demand from industry and communities while improving reliability.

“The Goldfields Pipeline is vital to our region, supporting local communities, industry, and economic development.

“These upgrades will help ensure the scheme can continue meeting the needs of a growing region, while creating opportunities for local businesses and workers along the way.

“It’s fantastic to see this Cook Labor Government investment continuing to progress and delivering benefits both now and for the future of the Goldfields,” Kalgoorlie MLA Ali Kent said.

As part of the Made in WA initiative, more than $170 million will be spent with local contractors and subcontractors, including at least $7 million with Aboriginal businesses. Communities in the Wheatbelt and Goldfields regions will also benefit from $12.4 million in local expenditure.

Sections of pipe for the GAWSS upgrade are being manufactured by Steel Mains in Kwinana using iron ore from the Pilbara and lined with Cockburn Cement concrete.

The duplication of the Binduli Reservoir in Kalgoorlie-Boulder is anticipated to commence later this year, providing a significant boost to local employment as well as economic activity.

The Goldfields and Agricultural Water Supply Scheme stretches from Mundaring to Kalgoorlie, and it supplies over 100,000 homes, farms, mines, and businesses across the Goldfields and Wheatbelt regions.

The investment in the GAWSS upgrade is part of the Cook Labor Government’s commitment to delivering the infrastructure Western Australia needs and deserves while, at the same time, supporting economic growth, creating local jobs, and strengthening long-term water security for regional communities.

“The awarding of these contracts marks another important step in delivering the Cook Labor Government’s $543 million investment in the Goldfields and Agricultural Water Supply Scheme, helping secure Western Australia’s water future.

“This investment will increase the scheme’s capacity and reliability to support future growth across the Goldfields and Wheatbelt, while delivering jobs and opportunities for local businesses.

“More than $170 million from these contracts will be spent with WA contractors and subcontractors, including at least $7 million with Aboriginal businesses, ensuring the benefits of this major infrastructure investment stay in Western Australia and contribute to a stronger, more diversified economy,” Water Minister Don Punch said.

Source: Government of Western Australia – Media Statements; Water Corporation (1, 2)