WORK has started on a new Gascoyne pipeline to increase horticulture production in the region.
Construction company SSP Diverse has been contracted to build a 25 kilometre long Northern Borefield Pipeline, as part of the $25 million Gascoyne Food Bowl project funded by the Royalties for Regions program.
According to the Department of Agriculture and Food (DAFWA), construction on the new pipeline will boost the volume of water available to Carnarvon horticulture growers and expand production in the region.
DAFWA project manager Tony Della Bosca said the construction was the culmination of four years of work towards providing a high quality water supply and associated infrastructure to increase irrigated agriculture production in the Gascoyne by 400 hectares.
"When the pipeline is completed in three months, the water capacity will increase from 183 to more than 550 litres per second," he said.
"The pipeline will be supported by the electrification of the northern bore field, which will ensure the consistent and more efficient delivery of water for horticultural crops."
More than 120 exploration bores have been drilled by the project, from which 35 production bores have been established to deliver four gigalitres per year with an average flow of more than 12L per second per bore.
Mr Della Bosca said the project would complement previous RfR investments in the Gascoyne irrigation pipeline and flood mitigation works to create a viable and sustainable horticulture precinct.
"This project will satisfy growers' need for a reliable, effective water supply, providing confidence for industry growth," he said.
"It will also ensure a sustainable water resource to service potential new irrigated agriculture opportunities."
