Production to restart at local pipe manufacturing facility
Date published: 26 April 2018
Townsville City Councillors today visited a local Iplex Pipelines manufacturing facility which will be re-opened and support more than 50 direct and indirect jobs.
The facility’s re-opening comes as a result of Townsville City Council’s decision to award the pipe tender for the new water pipeline to Iplex.
Mayor Jenny Hill said the company had committed to ensuring sustainable jobs in advanced manufacturing were created here in Townsville.
“It’s great for our community that Iplex has committed to re-starting manufacturing pipe at their facility here in the Bohle as part of their contract with Council,” Cr Hill said.
“It’s going to secure more than 50 direct and indirect jobs for Townsville – and importantly in advanced manufacturing.
“The fixtures and fittings for the pipeline will be made locally here, but with manufacturing re-starting here there will be other pipe products made in Townsville and potentially sold all over the country and the world.”
Cr Hill said jobs were already being created on the pipeline project and even more will flow when civil works commence in coming months.
“Shortly Iplex will re-commence manufacturing at its Bohle facility, creating more than 50 direct and indirect jobs,” Cr Hill said.
“And we can expect hundreds more jobs to be created when civil works commence in the coming months.
“This is one of the biggest infrastructure projects in Townsville and it will create a huge number of jobs for locals.”
Cr Hill said the pipeline was a key plank of Council’s $225 million 3-point water solution.
“The pipeline is the most important infrastructure project for Townsville’s future and Council has ensured we have the best technology and the best value for money,” Cr Hill said.
“Council is committed to having the new pipeline built by the end of 2019.”
Council awarded the tender to manufacture 36.5km of 1.8m diameter pipe for the pipeline to Iplex on Tuesday. The pipe will be made from Glass Reinforced Polymer.
Council’s $225 million 3-point water security solution includes:
- The new 1.8-metre diameter pipeline
- A recycled water system for community spaces and industrial use
- The Community Water Transition Support Package
