The Connections Project has released a Request for Tender (RFT) for a significant scope of works as part of the process to connect landowners to a modernised irrigation delivery system.
The On-Farm Works Construction tender opened this month.
Connections Project Director Frank Fisseler said it was exciting to see significant progress made, following the reset of the project last year.
“The 2017 Winter works is tracking really well and this is an important step forward,” Mr Fisseler said.
The tender process was designed to identify and appoint a panel of preferred contractors, who were suitably qualified, experienced and cost competitive to deliver on-farm works for the Connections project.
Local contractors were being encouraged to apply for the tender, with the panel expected to carry out works of differing scales and types.
Works would cover an area across the Goulburn-Murray Irrigation District (GMID), which stretches from Swan Hill and Kerang in the west to Cobram in the east.
The establishment of this panel would allow the project to quickly appoint a contractor, once on-farm works have been designed and agreements have been signed by the landowner. The direct engagement and management of on-farm construction works was consistent with the Connections reset plan.
It was targetted at supporting the reconfiguration process and facilitating efficient works delivery.
Water Minister Lisa Neville said it was another major step forward under the Reset Delivery Plan, adopted twelve months ago. The current winter works program, due for completion at the end of the month, would mean remediation of 33kilometres of channel, automation at 271 sites and installation of 35km of pipeline.