Ancient pipes threaten development in Maddington
Thursday, November 24, 2011 at 11:21AM Two large water main pipes are incorrectly constructed only 60 centimetres below the road surface on Albany Highway, and have stifled development in Maddington with nearby construction placing them at risk of rupturing.
I have called on Water Minieter Bill Marmion to intervene to upgrade the two pipes.
The City of Gosnells has put an enormous amount of effort into revitalising the Maddington town centre to create business and employment opportunities and better service the industrial area. For this to occur, Albany Highway needs to be widened but cannot currently go ahead due to the fragile nature of the pipes.
The Pipes were laid over 80 years ago and if a rupture was to occur it would cause major disruptions to water provision to the area as well as substantial disruptions to traffic on Albany Highway.
The Water Corportation indicated it would not bring forward any plans to upgrade the pipes, and the $10 million price tag means its unlikely the City of Gosnells would be able to start work for quite some time.
The Minister admitted in Parliament the area was underutilitsed. He must intervene now to allow for the revitalisation of Maddington town centre to continue and show the same support that has allowed development in Armadale and Midland.
