Western Outer Ring Main Project

Type of project: Gas Infrastructure

Client: APA Group
Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Completed in: 2024

The Western Outer Ring Main project is a high-pressure, buried gas transmission pipeline, which provides a new connection between pre-existing pipelines at Plumpton in Melbourne’s west and Wollert in the north. The project also included an upgrade to the existing compressor station at Wollert.

As the main contractor, Spiecapag delivered the construction of the 51km DN500 high-pressure steel pipeline – with external epoxy coating, partially laid in existing easement (approximately 8 km, Wollert to Wodonga Pipeline) and the rest in greenfield easement.

Following extensive consultation with landowners, occupiers and other stakeholders, the final alignment was selected to minimise impacts. The topography of the route was generally flat; however, there were several very steep gullies at creek crossings. The project included 3 km of trenchless crossing including seven HDDs (six of them major waterway crossings) and twelve bores.

This project mobilised 300 staff, 75% originating from the project area. 80% of the equipment procured also originated from the Melbourne area.