Council has officially opened the new pipeline spanning almost 10 kilometres from Ross River Dam to Council’s Douglas Water Treatment Plant, signalling the end of a two-year build to provide long-term water security for the city.
The jointly funded project with the State Government saw the 1.29m-diameter pipeline officially cut-in to existing infrastructure at both the dam and Council’s water treatment plant in June, with the final revegetation works being completed currently.
Deputy Mayor Paul Jacob said he was proud Council could deliver the crucial piece of infrastructure with funding from the state government to secure water for Townsville for decades to come.
“The Ross River Dam to Douglas Water Treatment Plant pipeline supplies Townsville with 85 per cent of our water so it’s great to see this new asset online and servicing our community’s needs,” Cr Jacob said.
Councillor Jacob said the decision was made to invest in a new pipeline after the unexpected failure of the original pipe extending from the dam to the treatment plant in December 2020.
“Most of our community would remember when Townsville’s water supply was temporarily cut off due to the old pipeline failing some 30 years before its expected 80-year life span,” Cr Jacob said.
“This new pipeline is a strong investment in Council’s core services and will keep Townsville’s taps running.
“The project started in 2021, with the first year completing design and securing approvals and a further two years to construct – the final piece is completing revegetation works to rehabilitate the areas affected by the pipeline construction.
“Council is proud to provide excellent service delivery when it comes to ensuring residents get what they expect from a local government, and we will continue to invest in our core services to ensure Townsville is a community-centric city for years to come.”
Member for Thuringowa, Aaron Harper said the original pipeline ran adjacent to Riverway Drive and crossed Ross River just prior to the treatment plant.
“The Queensland Government’s funding meant the new pipeline would not inhibit the duplication works of Riverway Drive in the years to come,” Mr Harper said.
“I’m proud to be delivering a key infrastructure project for Townsville which will increase water security and created jobs during construction.
“This project, along with stages one and two of Riverway Drive, are a major economic catalyst for the Upper Ross region as it continues to grow.”
The project has been named a finalist for the 2024 Australian Water Association Queensland Water Awards in the Infrastructure Project Innovation Award in the regional category.
The Ross River Dam to Douglas Water Treatment Plant Pipeline Renewal is funded by the Queensland Government in partnership with Townsville City Council.
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