Major Townsville project accepts first delivery

The first 500 pipes have crossed hundreds of nautical miles to be delivered for the construction of the Haughton Pipeline Stage 2.

The AAL Singapore delivered the pipes from the Iplex manufacturing hub in Adelaide to Townsville Port with the first shipment including 6.5km of 1.8m-diameter pipes.

Three more shipments will deliver the remaining lengths of pipe, which will be installed across 28.5km of land connecting stage one of the Haughton Pipeline to a new pump station next to the Burdekin River near Clare.

Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said this first delivery of pipes was a key milestone for the Haughton Pipeline project.

“Townsville is in the dry tropics and our region is one of the driest in Queensland. Our rainfall is unpredictable and sometimes falls outside of dam catchment areas, which is why the Haughton Pipeline is a critical piece of infrastructure that will help deliver a reliable water supply into the future,” Cr Hill said.

“Council identified in 2016 the need for long-term water security to help support a growing population, and we have pushed hard to make this project a reality.

“Seeing the first shipment of pipes arrive in Townsville is a significant milestone and is one step closer to achieving the level of water security needed for our rapidly growing population.”

Iplex Australia General Manager Paul Lavelle said Stage 2 of the Haughton Pipeline supported over 30 direct and indirect jobs throughout the region and will go on to support the local economy.

“During Stage 1 of the Haughton Pipeline project, over $2 million in purchases were made in the Townsville area through our subcontractors. The delivery today signals the return of further investment in the Townsville region,” Mr Lavelle said.

“We are very excited to be part of this important project.”

Member for Townsville Scott Stewart said this was an exciting step for stage 2 of the Haughton Pipeline project.

“This project will help create good secure jobs and provide water security for Townsville in the future,” Mr Stewart said.

“That’s why the Palaszczuk Government was proud to step up and invest $195 million in this important project which will help jobs and business growth for Townsville.”

Member for Mundingburra Les Walker said it was exciting to see the project reach a major milestone with the delivery of the pipes.

“Investing in major water projects like this will bring a better service to Townsville and I’m proud to be part of a government that is delivering that,” Mr Walker said.

“It will also create hundreds of good jobs and help drive our economy now and into the future.”

Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper said the $195 million investment from the Palaszczuk Government would provide water reliability and security to the city.

“This will have a flow-on effect for the economy allowing more businesses to thrive and contribute to Townsville’s lifestyle,” Mr Harper said.

“I’m proud to be a part of a government that is working with Townsville City Council to invest in the future infrastructure needs of the city.”

Three further shipments of the Australian-made Glass Reinforced Polymer pipes will be shipped between Adelaide and Townsville by March 2023.

The Haughton Pipeline Stage 2 is proudly funded by the Queensland Government in association with Townsville City Council.