A WA parliamentary question highlights the poor state of a 60-year-old water pipeline in the Wheatbelt, prompting a response from the Minister regarding repairs and funding. The Minister acknowledges the issue and outlines plans for above-ground and underground repairs.

AnsweredQoN 57Legislative Council
Asked
20 February 2008
Portfolio
Water Resources

QuestionView source ↗

WHEATBELT WATER SUPPLY PIPELINE 57. Hon BRIAN ELLIS to the Leader of the House representing the Minister for Water Resources: I refer to one of the wheatbelt’s main water supply pipelines; namely, the pipeline that runs between Wickepin and Bullaring. (1) Is the minister aware that this pipeline is now 60 years old and is in such a poor state that it is supported by rickety wooden pallets, railway sleepers and rocks, and in one place is tied to a disused telegraph pole with rope? (2) Will the reported promise to sink the pipeline be honoured; if so, when; and, if not, why not? (3) Will the minister give an undertaking that the pipeline will be repaired before the winter rains to ensure it is not washed away; and, if not, why not? Hon KIM CHANCE

AnswerView source ↗

I thank Hon Brian Ellis for providing some notice of the question. (1) Yes. (2) There was no promise to lay the pipeline underground. Some sections will in fact be underground, while the majority of the pipeline will be above ground and concrete support blocks installed where required. (3) Funding for the project has been allocated. The Water Corporation will carry out the work as soon as possible. There have been no issues with the delivery of water to customers or with water quality.
WHEATBELT WATER SUPPLY PIPELINE
I refer to one of the wheatbelt’s main water supply pipelines; namely, the pipeline that runs between Wickepin and Bullaring. (1) Is the minister aware that this pipeline is now 60 years old and is in such a poor state that it is supported by rickety wooden pallets, railway sleepers and rocks, and in one place is tied to a disused telegraph pole with rope? (2) Will the reported promise to sink the pipeline be honoured; if so, when; and, if not, why not? (3) Will the minister give an undertaking that the pipeline will be repaired before the winter rains to ensure it is not washed away; and, if not, why not? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Brian Ellis for providing some notice of the question. (1) Yes. (2) There was no promise to lay the pipeline underground. Some sections will in fact be underground, while the majority of the pipeline will be above ground and concrete support blocks installed where required. (3) Funding for the project has been allocated. The Water Corporation will carry out the work as soon as possible. There have been no issues with the delivery of water to customers or with water quality.
(1) Is the minister aware that this pipeline is now 60 years old and is in such a poor state that it is supported by rickety wooden pallets, railway sleepers and rocks, and in one place is tied to a disused telegraph pole with rope? (2) Will the reported promise to sink the pipeline be honoured; if so, when; and, if not, why not? (3) Will the minister give an undertaking that the pipeline will be repaired before the winter rains to ensure it is not washed away; and, if not, why not? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Brian Ellis for providing some notice of the question. (1) Yes. (2) There was no promise to lay the pipeline underground. Some sections will in fact be underground, while the majority of the pipeline will be above ground and concrete support blocks installed where required. (3) Funding for the project has been allocated. The Water Corporation will carry out the work as soon as possible. There have been no issues with the delivery of water to customers or with water quality.
(2) Will the reported promise to sink the pipeline be honoured; if so, when; and, if not, why not? (3) Will the minister give an undertaking that the pipeline will be repaired before the winter rains to ensure it is not washed away; and, if not, why not? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Brian Ellis for providing some notice of the question. (1) Yes. (2) There was no promise to lay the pipeline underground. Some sections will in fact be underground, while the majority of the pipeline will be above ground and concrete support blocks installed where required. (3) Funding for the project has been allocated. The Water Corporation will carry out the work as soon as possible. There have been no issues with the delivery of water to customers or with water quality.
(3) Will the minister give an undertaking that the pipeline will be repaired before the winter rains to ensure it is not washed away; and, if not, why not? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Brian Ellis for providing some notice of the question. (1) Yes. (2) There was no promise to lay the pipeline underground. Some sections will in fact be underground, while the majority of the pipeline will be above ground and concrete support blocks installed where required. (3) Funding for the project has been allocated. The Water Corporation will carry out the work as soon as possible. There have been no issues with the delivery of water to customers or with water quality.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Brian Ellis for providing some notice of the question. (1) Yes. (2) There was no promise to lay the pipeline underground. Some sections will in fact be underground, while the majority of the pipeline will be above ground and concrete support blocks installed where required. (3) Funding for the project has been allocated. The Water Corporation will carry out the work as soon as possible. There have been no issues with the delivery of water to customers or with water quality.
I thank Hon Brian Ellis for providing some notice of the question. (1) Yes. (2) There was no promise to lay the pipeline underground. Some sections will in fact be underground, while the majority of the pipeline will be above ground and concrete support blocks installed where required. (3) Funding for the project has been allocated. The Water Corporation will carry out the work as soon as possible. There have been no issues with the delivery of water to customers or with water quality.
(1) Yes. (2) There was no promise to lay the pipeline underground. Some sections will in fact be underground, while the majority of the pipeline will be above ground and concrete support blocks installed where required. (3) Funding for the project has been allocated. The Water Corporation will carry out the work as soon as possible. There have been no issues with the delivery of water to customers or with water quality.
(2) There was no promise to lay the pipeline underground. Some sections will in fact be underground, while the majority of the pipeline will be above ground and concrete support blocks installed where required. (3) Funding for the project has been allocated. The Water Corporation will carry out the work as soon as possible. There have been no issues with the delivery of water to customers or with water quality.
(3) Funding for the project has been allocated. The Water Corporation will carry out the work as soon as possible. There have been no issues with the delivery of water to customers or with water quality.

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