Dozens of jobs flow from pipeline as Civil Works start
Date published: 7 August 2018
Civil Works for Townsville’s new water pipeline have started.
Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said this is another crucial milestone on the pipeline project had been reached.
“The first stage of Civil Works is crucial to ensuring the installation of the 36.5km of pipe can proceed,” Cr Hill said.
“Dozens of workers are on site preparing the ground where the pipe will be laid including removing scrub and building new access tracks.
“Council is absolutely committed to delivering the pipeline by the end of next year.”
The Palaszczuk Government is investing $225 million towards water security in Townsville, including the pipeline duplication project, and the city’s three Government MPs – Communities Minister Coralee O’Rourke, Member for Townsville Scott Stewart and Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper welcomed the progress.
“I am pleased to see real progress being made on the project, with machinery now hitting the ground getting the site ready for the construction of the pipeline,” Mrs O’Rourke said.
“With the building comes the jobs for Townsville residents and associated economic benefits for local business.”
Mr Stewart said the project was all about addressing Townsville’s long-term water security needs.
“We are on level 2 water restrictions now, and the duplication of the pipeline will help secure more water and limit water restrictions in the future.”
“The commencement of these civil works is clear demonstration this Government doesn’t just talk about water infrastructure,” Mr Harper said.
“We are actually building it.”
Townsville City Council awarded the contract to complete the initial Civil Works for the project to local firm Mendi Group – creating 50 direct and indirect jobs.
Council’s 3-point million 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
Cr Hill said Council had allocated $159 million to build the pipeline in the 2018-19 Budget.
“Council delivered its biggest ever infrastructure spend in the Budget, with $433 million invested in major projects to create jobs for locals,” Cr Hill said.
“We have structured the work packages on the pipeline to ensure local firms have the best opportunity to secure work on the project to try and create as many jobs for locals as possible.
“The pipeline will be one of the biggest job-creating projects in North Queensland and we are making sure local firms get the best chance to get work on the project.”
Deputy Mayor Les Walker said the new pipeline was crucial to ensure long-term water security for our city.
“Townsville has been through a once-in-a-generation drought and the pipeline is a key plank of Council’s 3-point water security solution for our community,” Cr Walker said.
“The pipeline is Council’s top infrastructure priority and we will complete the project by the end of 2019.”
Cr Walker said Council was determined to complete the pipeline as quickly as possible to guarantee Townsville’s water supply.
“Despite receiving decent rainfall over the last wet season, our community knows that praying for rain isn’t a strategy for water security,” Cr Walker said.
