Dubbed the ‘best development for the region since electricity’, the pipeline provides a secure reticulated water supply to 1500 rural properties in areas surrounding Inglewood, Newbridge, St Arnaud and Wedderburn.

Murphy’s Creek farmer Deb Hancock said the pipeline had given their farm a future for their children, Campbell and Georgia.

“For us, the impact of the pipeline is hard to explain in words,” she said. “We were spending a lot of money trucking water from Bendigo; one year we spent $90,000.

“To not have to worry about water – Wow.”

Not only has their water security improved, but the quality of the water has made a difference to the health of their stock.

“The supply we get from the pipeline is absolutely phenomenal,” she said. “The animals love it; the sheep won’t even go near a dam anymore.

The sheep look amazing and that’s just because of the quality of the water. It’s exceptional.”

The pipeline also paves the way for future growth for their business.