The microtunnel boring machine (MTBM) has nearly completed its drive to install jacking pipes on Townsville City Council’s Haughton Pipeline Duplication Project (HPDP).
The AU$215 million Queensland Government funded pipeline is considered an essential piece of infrastructure for Townsville’s water security.
It includes the installation of a 36 km, 1.8 m diameter pipeline connecting the Ross River Dam to the Burdekin Haughton Water Supply Scheme.
The pipeline will pump raw water into the Ross River Dam to top up water levels during periods of very low rainfall and is a key part of the town’s three-point water security solution, which includes the new pipeline, recycled water reuse scheme and a water smart package.
Townsville City council contracted the microtunnelling to D.J. Mac Cormick, which was supported by local supplier Humes.
“Long-term water security is still a crucial issue for Townsville even though the dam is full,” said Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill.
“The unprecedented monsoon shows exactly how unpredictable our weather can be.
“Our city needs to be prepared for the next time we enter into drought conditions and that’s why council is totally committed to building the pipeline.”
Townsville Water and Waste Committee Chair Russ Cook said the MTBM starting work was an important milestone.
“The floods have had an impact on the project’s timeline and we are working to complete the pipeline by March next year,” said Mr Cook.
“The pipeline is still council’s top infrastructure priority and we are working closely with all companies on the project to maximise the number of local jobs created.”
Member for Townsville Scott Stewart said it was good to see the project forging ahead where possible, despite severe weather.
“The Palaszczuk Government is investing AU$225 million to ensure water security for Townsville for years to come and it’s important that work continues and milestones such as this one continue to be realised,” he said.
The project was initially planned for completion in December 2019, with the delay pushing back its in-service date to March 2020.
For more information visit the Townsville City Council website.
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