Public Works Committee: Barossa Trunk Main (Bentley Road) Project

Mr BROWN (Florey) (11:22): I move:

That the 93^rd report of the committee, on the Barossa Trunk Main (Bentley Road) Project, be noted.

This project, from SA Water, proposes to install a new pipeline in Evanston Park, in the town of Gawler, to increase the capacity of the water supply network in Gawler East and surrounding areas.

Over the last 20 years, development in the area has significantly increased the number of water connections serviced by the existing trunk main. Augmentation plans predict that over the next 20 years there will be a further 127 per cent increase of connection volume to this area's network. The projected growth will overwhelm the existing capacity of the Barossa trunk main system, and it is a high priority for SA Water to address imminent capacity pressures as well as prepare the network for the anticipated growth.

The project proposes the installation of approximately 1.9 kilometres of a 375-millimetre pipeline along Bentley Road from Potts Road to Alexander Avenue. The pipeline will allow two service mains to be interconnected, increasing overall capacity of the water supply network.

Once complete, the upgrade will serve as a critical link supplying water to the Gawler, Craigmore, Munno Para, Elizabeth, Pooraka and Northfield areas. Strengthening the water system will not only ensure capacity for current water needs but also ensure reliability and resilience for the future, in line with the expected expansion of the network—particularly with the planned Gawler Springwood East development.

Due to the nature of the project being a direct upgrade of an existing service, only one concept option was considered and assessed on technical and financial components as well as net value and risk assessment. The pipeline site is located within the Gawler council area and most of the pipeline will be within the road reserve, with no easement required. Where the pipeline alignment impacts the council reserve, the council will be consulted regarding works and necessary easements. Some removal of natural vegetation and regulated trees will be required and necessary approvals will be sought prior to any clearance or damage. SA Water anticipates that construction will commence within the fourth quarter of this year, with practical completion in the second quarter of 2025.

The project is anticipated to cost $9.4 million, and funds are available within the capital budget submitted by SA Water to the Essential Services Commission of South Australia for the 2020 and 2024 regulatory determinations. There will be nil impact to SA Water customer bills nor overall contributions to government. No benefit cost ratio has been drafted, as one is not required for SA Water projects when the primary driver is not for economic benefit to the state. The benefits cannot be quantified in financial or economic terms, as they are a continuation of an existing service and there will be no operational costs once the project is complete.

The Barossa trunk main project is included in the Water North Framework major program. Procurement processes have been conducted in accordance with SA Water's policies and procedures and conform to all applicable government policies. Concept design was completed by SA Water engineering and the project delivery is planned to use a design and construct model. The agency states that a major framework partner is anticipated to submit a proposal which will be analysed and awarded in accordance with SA Water's delegation of financial procurement authority and applicable Treasury and government policies.

The project will be managed by a project manager from SA Water's capital planning and delivery group who will be responsible for the development and delivery of the overall project, including seeking the necessary approvals as well as managing the selected contractor. SA Water administers a business management framework to identify potential project risks, determine related impacts and likelihood and develop strategies to mitigate risks and remedy problems. This framework will apply over the course of the project, and the agency will hold facilitated risk assessment workshops with relevant stakeholders.

SA Water has identified key risks for this project, which include impacts to the environment from construction and operations, for which project design has minimised adverse impacts to native vegetation and fauna, and network isolation failures and loss of supply to customers, for which the project has developed detailed shutdown planning, coordination and impact assessments. All project risks will be logged and monitored in a live risk database and addressed as appropriate by the team during the life of the project.

An environmental control plan has been developed to ensure the project is delivered in compliance with relevant regulations and legislative frameworks. The selected contractor will be encouraged to develop processes with due regard for short and long-term, local and global, environmental, social and economic considerations. These include conservation and efficient use of resources and raw materials, engaging local subcontractors, where relevant expertise exists, reducing carbon emissions, developing flexible processes and products, and implementing recycling and re-use initiatives.

SA Water also has a commitment to operate sustainably to support viability now and into the future. Through the Water North Framework partnership, SA Water will engage a contractor that has an established construction environmental management plan. Additionally, a site environmental management plan will be developed to address the site-specific requirements that will be reviewed and endorsed by SA Water.

The project lies within the Kaurna native title determination, and SA Water confirms that native title has been extinguished on the project site provided that works remain within the gazetted road reserves and previously disturbed corridors within SA Water-owned land parcels. The agency has determined a medium level of risk for encountering or impacting Aboriginal heritage and requires the construction contractor to comply with standard operating procedures for the discovery of Aboriginal heritage during construction work.

Construction employees will also be required to attend a site-specific Aboriginal cultural heritage induction prior to ground disturbance works. The agency's environment and heritage expertise has determined no impact on non-Aboriginal heritage items. The new pipeline is being built parallel to the existing pipeline alignment, and the agency has been in consultation with relevant stakeholders and will remain in ongoing communication through the life of the project. SA Water has consulted with the Gawler council regarding project plans and will continue to engage the council prior to the commencement of the construction to ensure appropriate levels of traffic management are in place. Internal stakeholders and involved partner organisations will be kept informed throughout the project life cycle. Feedback from the relevant government departments indicates support for the proposed project.

The committee has examined written and oral evidence in relation to the Barossa Trunk Main (Bentley Road) Project. Witnesses who appeared before the committee were Ross Kameron, Senior Project Manager, SA Water, and Peter Seltsikas, Senior Manager, Capital Delivery, SA Water. I thank the witnesses for their time. Based upon the evidence considered, and pursuant to section 12C of the Parliamentary Committees Act 1991, the Public Works Committee reports to parliament that it recommends the proposed public work.

Motion carried.