GAWLER’S “green belt” could be hooked up to a recycled water system in an attempt to encourage primary production in the area as part of a council plan to provide cheaper irrigation to the town.
At council’s Infrastructure and Environmental Committee meeting last Tuesday night, elected members discussed a report into ways for Gawler to deliver cheaper irrigation services to its growth areas south of the town, such as the Evanston Gardens Orleana Waters housing estate.
The report revealed Gawler Council has held recent talks with the Department of Environment and Water (DEW) and the Department of Primary Industries South Australia (PIRSA) about connecting the town to existing or future recycled water infrastructure as new homes, parks and reserves are built and existing open spaces usage increases.
Connection to the existing SA Water-owned Virginia Pipeline Scheme or the privately owned and operated Bunyip Water system were touted as potential solutions to an expected shortfall of recycled water needed to irrigate Gawler in the future.
Council and PIRSA have also been in talks about connecting to an extended Northern Adelaide Irrigation Scheme, with the State Government currently in the early planning stages of extending the pipeline through to the Barossa and Eden Valley.
The report stated this pipeline would likely pass close to Gawler, providing an opportunity for the town to tap into the projected eight to 12 gigalitres expected to be pumped towards the Barossa.
Also discussed last week was the potential for this recycled water to be used to encourage primary production in Kudla, an area where residents have battled with council to subdivide their land into smaller parcels.
“Whilst some investigations have been undertaken with respect to existing infrastructure provision in the Kudla area, it is noted there is not currently a recycled water network in the area to support potential future private business opportunities which would be subject to economic development study recommendations in any case,” the report read.
“The opportunity to provide a pipeline through the Kudla area to connect to recycled water supply sources nearby could be a consideration for facilitating further expansion by private property owners, (as) to supply low cost non potable water for the promotion of intensified horticultural practices, or such other activities, in this area.”
At the meeting, elected members voted to endorse a $25,000 2020/21 budget bid for a detailed report into developing the existing water bore at Karbeethan Reserve.
Another $40,000 bid was endorsed to build a business case for hooking Gawler up to a recycled water source, which is expected to save council between $257,000 and $3.9 million.
The council is set to apply for external funding to complete any connection to a recycled water supply.