One of South Australia's largest water pipelines near Mannum has been given an incredible mural makeover as part of a community art project celebrating the region as SA's first dark sky reserve.
In collaboration with the Murray River, Lakes and Coorong Tourism Alliance, the Mid-Murray Council and Palmer's Collier Park Community Association, South Australian artist Jack Fran has painted a 50-metre section of the Mannum to Adelaide Pipeline.
The 87-kilometre long pipeline delivers raw River Murray water to SA Water's drinking water treatment plant at Anstey Hill, before being distributed to thousands of customers across metropolitan Adelaide.
SA Water's Strategy, Engagement and Innovation general manager Sandra Ricci said SA Water continued to look at ways to visually improve its infrastructure for the benefit of the community.
"The Mannum to Adelaide Pipeline plays a critical role in delivering water to thousands of our customers, and the concrete exterior provides the perfect canvas for large-scale art projects for locals and passers-by through the region," she said.
"Taking just five days to paint, the artwork acknowledges the area's amazing achievement of being recognised as the River Murray Dark Sky Reserve - one of only 15 located around the world, and the only in Australia.
"The colourful display also features a striking image of the Australian pelican that is so often associated with calling the iconic River Murray home.
"This is an excellent example of people across the community working together to conceive yet another tourism attraction to the region, and to see the final product adorning the pipeline for everyone to enjoy is a credit to Jack and his talents."
Spanning across 3200 square kilometres, the River Murray Dark Sky Reserve is considered a place of exceptional clear skies, dazzling stars and quality nocturnal environment.
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Murray River, Lakes and Coorong Tourism Alliance tourism development manager Bill Nehmy said the artwork would be a great benefit to the area's tourism sector.
"The River Murray area already has a diverse and popular range of silo artworks in Karoonda and Coonalpyn, and this piece provides yet another addition to this art trail," he said.
"This will be a drawcard to bring tourists to our region for years to come, and we are excited for everyone to enjoy the end result."