The Goornong community currently relies on the Campaspe River as its single source of water supply, which can be impacted by changing climate and water quality conditions.

This new water pipeline will replace the ageing water treatment plant in Goornong, which processes the raw water received from the Campaspe River into safe drinking water for the town. The new pipeline will provide better water security, reliability and improved water quality for the town.

The Huntly-Goornong Pipeline will provide a more secure and reliable water supply for Goornong customers and increase the capacity to serve the growing community.

The pipeline will provide water from the Bendigo system, which is treated at our Bendigo Water Treatment Plant in Kangaroo Flat. This is the same supply network as Bendigo, Axedale, Huntly, Raywood, Sebastian, Heathcote and Tooborac.

We currently have a planning permit application lodged with council. If this is approved, we will begin construction in the second half of 2026.

The water pipeline will connect to the Epsom Huntly Pipeline and follow Old Murray Road through to the existing Goornong Water Treatment Plant site. The pipeline will be constructed in the existing road reserve.

No. The water pressure in the new pipeline is too strong for homes to connect directly off it.

Goornong customers currently receive water supplied from the Campaspe River which is then processed into safe drinking water at the Goornong Water Treatment Plant. This water does not have fluoride added and can also be impacted by changes in raw water quality which can affect the taste and odour of the water.

Once the pipeline is connected, the change in water supply will mean Goornong customers will receive water from the Bendigo water supply network, which is fluoridated and does not experience the same frequency of raw water quality issues.

The Bendigo water supply was crowned the winner of Best Tasting Tap Water in Victoria at the prestigious IXOM Best Tasting Tap Water Competition, held at the Water Industry Operations Association Conference in Bendigo in March.

Water fluoridation does not cause harmful effects and does not alter the taste or odour of your drinking water.

There are a range of dental health benefits that come from using fluoridated water, including protecting against tooth decay.

For more information about water fluoridation, please visit www.health.vic.gov.au/water/water-fluoridation-in-victoria

There will be no change to water pressure.

The existing Goornong Water Treatment Plant will be decommissioned, and the town will be supplied by the pipeline. This work will begin as part of stage 2 of this project, after the construction of the pipeline.

No. The pipeline is being constructed in public road reserves.

Traffic management will be in place in areas around the construction.

Some driveways may be impacted in parts of construction. We will work directly with neighbours to minimise impacts and notify them of works before construction begins.

We aim to minimise disruption to you during construction, which will involve a mix of open-trenching (you’ll see us digging) and boring (underground and less visible).

Any ground disturbance will be reinstated to its previous condition once works are complete.

No. During construction, your current water supply will not be interrupted and there will be no impact to water quality.

No. The pipeline’s alignment is in public road reserve.

Any ground disturbance will be reinstated to its previous condition once works are complete.

We are working with the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation to ensure all planning, design and construction meets our obligations under the Aboriginal Heritage Act, and the Cultural Heritage Management Plan we have in place for the project.

Yes. All vegetation within the pipeline corridor has been assessed and the final design and construction methodology (i.e. open-trenching or boring) has been selected to minimise impacts to vegetation.

Regular updates will be posted on this Connect Coliban page, as well as our website. We will also communicate directly with any residents who could be impacted by construction activities.

You can also call our Customer Support Team on 1300 363 200.