A pipeline from Stirling to the Tamworth Reservoir had always been part of The Water Corporation's long-term plan for Western Australia. The pipeline would be needed to ensure the future reliability of supply to the metropolitan areas of Goldfields and Mandurah.

However, with run-off to the region's catchment area down by as much as 40%, the scheme needed to be started earlier than planned. This meant bringing forward Australia's largest pipeline project of the 20th century.