The first tender for stage two of the Haughton Pipeline has been released, bringing the water pipeline project a step closer to the construction phase.
Queensland Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, said the State Government was providing up to $195 million in funding for the project.
“Stage 2 of the Haughton Pipeline project will go a long way in ensuring Townville water security for decades to come,” Premier Palaszczuk said.
Townsville City Council has formally signed off on a detailed road map for the project, including approving increasing the budget to $274 million, which includes an appropriate contingency allowance.
Townsville Mayor, Jenny Hill, said a considerable amount of planning had been undertaken by Council officers and specialist consultants in the past 12 months.
“Completing the second stage of the Haughton pipeline will give Townsville the water security it needs as it grows over the next 50 years,” Mayor Hill said.
“It realises the recommendation made by the Townsville Water Security Taskforce’s final report of November 2018 that a pipeline be constructed between the Ross River Dam and the Burdekin River near Clare to enable the dam level to be managed to best deliver water to the city.
Mayor Hill said Council would fund all costs above the $195 million provided by the State Government.
“It will mean that Council will need to provide up to $79 million to fund this vital investment in our city’s long-term future.
“We will manage the risks in this project closely to put downward pressure on costs, but we are not going to cut corners. This piece of infrastructure will provide water security for the next 50-80 years and we will do it right.”
Minister for Resources and Member for Townsville, Scott Stewart, said the project would provide a substantial economic boost for the city.
“Stage 2 of the Haughton Pipeline will deliver water security, but it will also deliver jobs,” Mr Stewart said.
“The project is expected to support hundreds of jobs in the region. This couldn’t come at a better time as Townsville and North Queensland continue to recover from COVID-19 global pandemic.”
Townsville Water and Waste Committee Chairperson, Russ Cook, said Townsville City councillors were recently briefed on the project.
“Anyone who has built major infrastructure like this knows it simply doesn’t happen overnight, and this stage of the project has presented a variety of different challenges compared to the stage one,” Mr Cook said.
“Detailed design work for the pipeline and pump station will now be finalised with delivery partners.
“The tender for long lead items, such as pipes and pumps, will be released by the end of 2021, while the tender for the construction of the pipeline will be released in early 2022.
“Construction of the pipeline and pump station is expected to be complete by the end of 2024 with testing and commissioning to be finalised by March 2025.”
