Coliban Water has completed a $4.6 million project to renew 2.7 kilometres of the Coliban Main Channel over four years.
Manager Infrastructure Corey Bourne said six sections were identified for renewal due to their age and condition as part of an ongoing renewal program for the channel.
“The project has improved the security and efficiency of the channel while protecting its environmental and heritage value,” said Mr Bourne.
“The Coliban Main Channel is a critical piece of water supply infrastructure that supplies water to the Bendigo and Castlemaine Water Treatment Plants.
“The channel also delivers water to our 1,359 rural customers during the rural season from October to May for business such as farms, orchards, food processors and wineries.
“The renewal works took place when the rural season is closed and our plants had sufficient water stored in their reservoirs or access to alternative sources,” said Mr Bourne.
The Coliban Main Channel was constructed in the late 1870s to transfer water from Malmsbury to Bendigo. It is an open gravity channel around 70 kilometres in length.
“The original channel was built by thousands of workers who had to hack out the course by hand and construct channels, aqueducts and tunnels often with elaborate stonework,” said Mr Bourne.
“Some sections of the original stonework are still in place and are heritage listed at some parts. The six concrete sections we renewed were constructed around 60 to 70 years ago. Particular care was given to protecting the original stonework.
“As well as the heritage value, the channel passes through areas of natural beauty which support important native flora and fauna. Biodiversity protection was considered throughout the planning, approval and construction stages.
“We used a three-step approach to avoid, minimise and offset the impact to native vegetation along the channel.
“Our Environmental Management Plan included protection measures for native vegetation, wildlife and waterways as well as controls for erosion, waste, weeds, noise and dust.
“After the works were completed we are implementing land rehabilitation plans for revegetating areas with local indigenous species that will provide habitat for fauna and stabilise erosional soils.
“Our contractor for the project was Ron Wilkins Constructions, a Victorian company that has worked on channel renewals in our region for more than 20 years.
“We are currently in the planning stages to identify sections of channel for renewal as part of our ongoing program,” said Mr Bourne.
For further information on the project visit the Coliban Main Channel Renewal project page and for information on the history of the Coliban Main Channel visit our History page.
Last updated on 17 Sep 2019