Striking pipeline mural celebrates history and connection

A new mural by South Australian artist Jack Fran now adorns a section of SA Water’s pipeline near Palmer, east of the Adelaide Hills, transforming an essential piece of water infrastructure into a vibrant celebration of the region’s history.

Commissioned by the Collier Palmer Park Community Group, the artwork pays homage to the rich history of the Mannum to Adelaide pipeline, which has supplied raw water to become safe, reliable drinking water to South Australians since it was constructed in the 1950s.

Jack Fran is no stranger to this site, having previously created the much-loved Dark Sky mural on the same stretch of pipeline in 2021.

His latest work builds on that legacy, weaving together elements that reflect the pipeline’s engineering significance, the surrounding landscape and the enduring connection between people and water.

“It’s been an honour to return to this location and continue the story on the pipeline,” Jack said.

“My goal was to create something that both acknowledges the history and brings fresh energy to a piece of infrastructure that’s so vital to the community.

“This design actually incorporates historical photos of the pipeline itself, and it has been interesting to learn a bit about how the infrastructure was constructed, such as it took 5 years to lay it.
“So this artwork is a bit of a timeline of those elements.”

The 87 kilometre Mannum to Adelaide Pipeline was the first major pipeline built from the River Murray to serve the needs of Adelaide.

The pipeline began operating in 1955 and supplies water to SA Water’s metropolitan network through a water treatment plant at Anstey Hill and can also deliver to six reservoirs

The mural project was made possible through close collaboration between the Collier Palmer Park Community Group and SA Water, with support from the local council, in a nod to partnerships the water utility has built with communities around South Australia.

“We’re always proud to see communities embrace and celebrate their water infrastructure in creative ways,” SA Water’s Manager of Brand and Community Kellie McDonald said.

“This new mural continues the positive story that began with Jack’s Dark Sky artwork, and highlights how water connects us all — from the River Murray at Mannum to homes and businesses across the state.”

Collier Palmer Park Community Group president Sandra Cox said the pipeline always has been – and will be – part of the town, and the mural honours that connection.

“One of our committee members, after the Dark Sky mural, suggested the next artwork should be about the building of the pipeline,” Sandra said.

“We had a meeting with the Mannum Historical Society and selected the photos from their archives, and now that story will be on the pipeline for visitors and locals to enjoy.

“It has a deep connection to the town and the community.”

The new mural adds to a growing collection of Art on Infrastructure projects supported by SA Water and local communities across South Australia, which artfully demonstrate how essential water is to thriving regions.

The mural can be viewed from the roadside just outside Palmer, heading towards Mannum.

An interactive map of all SA Water’s Art on Infrastructure projects is available online, along with information for community groups and organisations looking to find out more: