CBD Utilities Project swings into action

The massive upgrade of water and sewerage networks in Townsville’s inner-city is ramping up with projects set to roll out at various locations in the CBD.

Work on the first major package of the four-year $51 million CBD Utilities Upgrade will start this week and continue to December in managed stages to minimise traffic disruptions for residents, businesses and commuters.

The council and the Upgrade’s head contractor BMD Constructions kicked off the works today on a section of Flinders St West between Blackwood and Fletcher Streets.

Works in three other locations will commence over the next six weeks and include high-tech drilling under Ross Creek for the installation of a 400m section of new sewer main.

Water and Waste Committee chairman Cr Paul Jacob said the upgrade of aging water and sewerage pipelines was essential for future development.

“The CBD Utilities Upgrade is a city building project that will increase the capacity of basic services to support the redevelopment of the inner-city and the target of 30,000 people working and living in the CBD by 2030,” Cr Jacob said.

“Upgrading water and sewerage mains, some up to 60 years old, will require significant excavations and the work is being done now to get these stages completed before the start of the wet season.

“Council’s major projects team has worked closely with BMD to package and stage works in a way that will minimise impacts on footpaths, parking and traffic flows as much as possible.

“Breaking the overall program down into smaller packages also maximises opportunities for local contractors.

“So far 96% of the contract awarded to date has been to local suppliers and contractors and 52 out of the 53 inductions were for local workers.”

Council’s Major Projects manager Simon Ormes said the council had liaised with police, emergency services, taxis, Sunbus, and various agencies including Department of Transport and Main Roads, and utility companies on traffic management, access points, and continuity of services.

“With a project of this scope, keeping stakeholders and the public fully informed is extremely important. The project team is consulting residents and businesses in the CBD to address any issues as best they can and provide regular updates,” Mr Ormes said.

“We’re asking motorists to be patient with traffic changes, and to plan ahead and seek an alternative route where possible.”

“The work will cause temporary changes to traffic lanes, footpaths and parking in some areas, but normal access will be restored as quickly as possible.”

Works are expected to take about 16 weeks to complete, subject to weather. The next package of works will be scheduled to commence next year after the wet season.

Information on the CBD Utilities Upgrade and the latest package of works is available at https://www.townsville.qld.gov.au/building-planning-and-projects/council-projects/cbd-utilities-project

The Upgrade began last year with early works in Stanley Street from Flinders to Sturt Streets, and the on-going project in the old West Quarry to prepare the site for a future new water reservoir to supply the inner-city area.

Local company Mendi Constructions won the contract for the West End quarry work.

Works to be completed between July and December includes:

* Flinders St West.
Work started this week and will move progressively along Flinders St West between Blackwood and Fletcher St, starting at the Blackwood St intersection. Project duration 16 weeks.

* Ross Creek underbore.
Work scheduled to start July 18 and continue for eight weeks. Drill rigs will be located in Archer St, South Townsville and the carpark of Enterprise House, south end of The Strand. 400m of 600mm pipework will be welded into one length and laid out along the footpath from Enterprise House past Anzac Park before being pulled under the creek in one continuous section. A section of the car park will be closed for the duration of the project.

* Stanley Street from Sturt Street to Wills Street
Main works to start in mid August and continue for 16 weeks.  Sturt St intersection will be closed for the first two weeks. The work will connect new pipework to underground services upgraded in Stanley St late last year between Flinders and Sturt. Work will progress further up Stanley Street in stages.

* Sturt Street
Work in Sturt Street between Stanley and Stokes streets will take approximately four months to complete and includes installation of new reticulation pipework for water supply to businesses and associated footpath replacements.