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Annual Report 1999-2000
SPECIAL PROJECT: THE GOLDEN PIPELINE
Objective: To conserve and interpret the heritage of the Goldfields and Agricultural Water Supply Scheme.
Description
The project is built around the currently active 550km steel pipeline, which supplies water to the Wheatbelt and the Goldfields. The pipeline and its attendant pumping stations and storage tanks are operated by the Water Corporation. There are, however, a number of obsolete and redundant pumping stations, tanks and miscellaneous fittings and sites along the route which have significant cultural heritage value for Western Australia.
The Goldfields and Agricultural Water Supply Scheme (GAWSS) has been a key asset in facilitating the economic, social and cultural development of Western Australia's 'heartland'. A great many Western Australians, especially those who have lived along its route and relied on it for life-giving water, place great sentimental value on the pipeline.
Consequently the Trust's project to conserve the heritage places and tell the story in a way that engages the interest of people travelling for recreation and tourism has attracted strong interest up and down the pipeline. The Golden Pipeline Project is seen, not just as a great heritage project, but also as a catalyst for social and economic revival in the Wheatbelt and the Goldfields.
Key Strategies:
Conservation: Develop and execute conservation plans to a high professional standard.
Interpretation: Develop well-researched interpretation plans on which to base professionally executed implementation works including museums, signage, displays, and public information available in a variety of media.
Education: Develop a well-respected school and public education program.
Community consultation: Involvement of the communities along the pipeline route so that they 'own' their section of the Project is seen as vital to the ongoing viability of the Project.
Stakeholder liaison: Build support through liaison, sponsorships, lobbying and advisory committees.
Fund raising: Use well developed plans to support efforts to acquire the funding needed to build this Project from a wide range of sources: grants, sponsorship and donations.
Management: Use professional management skills to undertake the Project.
Major Achievements
Conservation Plans: Curtin University's Research Institute for Cultural Heritage has prepared high quality professional conservation plans for 11 places. Eight more plans are in preparation.
Conservation Works: Achievements for the year include the removal of asbestos from six pumping station sites making it safe to undertake planned conservation and interpretation work. New roofs have been installed on No.3 (Cunderdin) and No. 8 (Dedari) pumping stations.
Interpretation: An Interpretation Plan has been completed which will guide the telling of the rich cultural story of the pipeline, the land, the people, and the development it facilitated.
Education: The Trust's Education Manager has begun the development of a comprehensive school education plan for the Project.
Trail Plans: Plans for four recreation and tourism trails (2 walk trails at Mundaring Weir, a non-motorised trail from Mundaring to Northam, and a major tourism drive trail from Northam to Kalgoorlie.) have been completed.
Community consultation: A Memorandum of Understanding with the Trust has been signed by 11 LGAs along the pipeline. A strong level of awareness and support for the project has been built through numerous personal contacts with CEOs and officers. The Wheatbelt Development Commission has established a Working Committee for the Project to facilitate communication amongst LGAs and other stakeholders along the pipeline route.
Stakeholder liaison: In addition to the LGAs, The Trust has built a foundation of support with significant stakeholders including the Water Corporation, Wheatbelt Development Commission, Goldfields and Esperance Development Commission, Main Roads Department, CALM, WA Tourism Commission
Fund raising: In addition to the Federation Cultural and Heritage Projects Program grant ($1M) and the Water Corporation ($1.3M, of which $350 000 has so far been paid), the Golden Pipeline Council has been successful in winning a pledge from the State Government for a grant of $6.9M from the proceeds of the sale of Alinta Gas.
Several small grants have also assisted the project during the year including: Heritage Council of WA ($10 000 for Karalee and Cunderdin) Lotteries Commission ($57 000 for Cunderdin Roof), WA Government's WA2001 for Trails signage ($20 000), and WA Tourism Commission for signage ($20 000).
The Project has attracted the interest of the Wheatbelt Area Consultative Committee (WACC), which is supported by the Federal Department of Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business. The WACC has facilitated a bid by 12 LGAs and the Trust for Federal Rural Assistance funding amounting to over $500 000 for projects, which can be linked with the Golden Pipeline.
