Goulburn Mulwaree Council said six companies were expected to lodge detailed proposals for this component of the HSP after being shortlisted through an expression of interest process last year.

An Extraordinary Council Meeting will be held in late July or early August to consider the proposals received.

Mayor Carol James said the pre construction stage was well underway.

“Council staff are working on a range of planning work to see the Highlands Source Project completed as soon as possible,” Cr James said.

Project Manager Grant Moller said project management and design was a vital aspect of the project.

“Signing off on the project management and design contract is vital to us continuing progress on securing Goulburn’s water supply,” Mr Moller said.

“Once the successful company is on board we will refine the overall schedule and start work on geotechnical reports and surveys.”

Engagements have also been made for a Cultural Heritage Assessment and Preliminary Environmental Assessment (Flora and Fauna).

All of this work must be completed before the Major Project Application can be lodged with the NSW Department of Planning.

“We are moving ahead with the pre-construction stage with the aim of having water flowing to Goulburn in mid to late 2011,” Mr Moller said.

“However, it’s important to note that after the pre-construction stage, Council will have a more accurate estimate of costs and can resolve to halt work if required.”

The HSP will see Goulburn linked to the Sydney Catchment Authority water supply via a pipeline from Wingecarribee Reservoir near Bowral.

External funding of up to $40 million is available for the project, which is comprised of up to $20 million each from the State and Federal Governments.

Council said the need to expedite the project was confirmed recently in a letter from NSW Minister for Water Phillip Costa.

Mr Costa highlighted the need for pre-construction work on the pipeline to be undertaken in parallel with the completion of Goulburn Mulwaree Council’s Integrated Water Cycle Management (IWCM) Strategy.

“I understand that Goulburn’s water storages are once again falling and are only just over 50 per cent, and for this reason, it is considered that Council should progress the construction activities for the pipeline without further delay,” Mr Costa stated.