Big utilities project set to start in Townsville CBD
Date published: 19 October 2015
A major upgrade of aging water and sewerage infrastructure will begin this week on a key Townsville’s CBD block to support new development and the revitalisation of the inner-city.
The project is part of the Townville City Council’s $43 million CBD Utilities Upgrade and this portion of the works will be carried out by the Lancini Group in conjunction with stormwater diversionary works associated with their new Woolworths development in Sturt St.
Works will require substantial excavations, detours and limited traffic access on Stanley Street extending to the Sturt and Flinders Street intersections through to February next year.
Council’s Water and Waste Committee chairman Cr Ray Gartrell said the utilities upgrade was essential to drive new development and achieving the city’s target of 30,000 people working and living in the CBD by 2030.
"Much of the underground services in the CBD is more than 60 years old and must be upgraded to support the Waterfront PDA vision and new development we need to create jobs and stimulate our local economy," Cr Gartrell said.
"Given that major excavations will be required in the area for the Woolworths development, there are major benefits for the community by bringing forward this component of the CBD Utilities Upgrade to happen at the same time.
"That way we will avoid having to excavate this section of Stanley Street twice.
"The CBD is still very much open for business and we want people to continue to support local businesses.
Director of Townsville Water Keith Parsons said the council was working with business operators and property owners to minimise impacts as much as possible.
"A traffic management plan has been developed to maintain access for businesses and to keep traffic flowing through the CBD as best we can around the work site.
"It’s important for people to be aware of the changed traffic arrangements and take an alternative route into the city to avoid the work area."
The project will be carried out in three stages to minimise impacts on business and traffic flows through the centre of the city.
