page_title: North–South Pipeline
hierarchical_section_title: North–South Pipeline
caption_attribution_description: English: Protest sign about the North South pipeline near Bonnie Doon.
context_page_description: The North–South Pipeline, also known as the Sugarloaf Pipeline, is a water pipeline in Central Victoria, Australia, northeast of Melbourne that is part of Victoria's water system, acting as a link between Melbourne's water grid and the Murray-Goulburn water grid, supplying water via a series of existing and proposed pipelines. The 70-kilometre pipeline was connected to Melbourne in February 2010 to carry water from the Goulburn River to Melbourne’s Sugarloaf Reservoir. It is the government's policy that it only be used in times of critical human need: when Melbourne’s total water storages are less than 30% full on 30 November of any year. The pipeline can transfer a portion of Lake Eildon’s water that is set aside for Melbourne, called the critical water reserve. This was 38,400 megalitres at 2 June 2014, and any changes are based on Goulburn-Murray Water’s advice.
  The North–South Pipeline was presented through the late 2000s as being part of the Victorian Government's "Our Water, Our Future", which included other major projects such as the Wonthaggi desalination plant, the Cardinia Pipeline and a proposed interconnector to Geelong.
context_section_description: The North–South Pipeline, also known as the Sugarloaf Pipeline, is a water pipeline in Central Victoria, Australia, northeast of Melbourne that is part of Victoria's water system, acting as a link between Melbourne's water grid and the Murray-Goulburn water grid, supplying water via a series of existing and proposed pipelines. The 70-kilometre pipeline was connected to Melbourne in February 2010 to carry water from the Goulburn River to Melbourne’s Sugarloaf Reservoir. It is the government's policy that it only be used in times of critical human need: when Melbourne’s total water storages are less than 30% full on 30 November of any year. The pipeline can transfer a portion of Lake Eildon’s water that is set aside for Melbourne, called the critical water reserve. This was 38,400 megalitres at 2 June 2014, and any changes are based on Goulburn-Murray Water’s advice.
  The North–South Pipeline was presented through the late 2000s as being part of the Victorian Government's "Our Water, Our Future", which included other major projects such as the Wonthaggi desalination plant, the Cardinia Pipeline and a proposed interconnector to Geelong.
  The pipeline runs between a location on the Goulburn River, near Yea and heads south towards the Sugarloaf Reservoir north-east of Melbourne, along the Melba Highway. The Goulburn River is a major tributary of the Murray Darling river system and major agricultural region, whilst Sugarloaf Reservoir is a major storage reservoir for Melbourne's water supply. The pipeline cost $750 million and was delivered under an alliance model between Melbourne Water, John Holland, SKM and GHD.
  The pipeline is expected to add up to 75 billion litres annually to Melbourne's water supply, roughly one third of the 225 gigalitres (billion litres) proposed to be saved by irrigation and modernisation plans and projects in northern Victoria's Murray-Goulburn Irrigation District. The 225 gigalitres in savings is intended to be split 75 to Melbourne, 75 to irrigators and 75 to the watercourses themselves.
caption: Protest sign about the North South pipeline near Bonnie Doon.
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