Council increases scope of works on reservoir site
Date published: 26 April 2016
The Townsville City Council has approved an increased scope of works on the West End reservoir project to overcome rock instability and safety issues on the former quarry site.
Council today approved a report recommending the amended scope and increased the budget by $3 million for the project to prepare the site for two future reservoirs as part of the CBD Utilities Upgrade.
The amended project will resite the reservoirs further way from the quarry rock face, and significantly change the blasting plan and excavation of rock.
Mayor Cr Jenny Hill said the revised scope of works would put the project back on track after delays caused by the latent conditions in the quarry area.
“The site works and the future construction of reservoirs in the old quarry are integral part of the council’s overall strategy to upgrade water services in the CBD,” Cr Hill said.
“Council has today approved an amended scope of works that offer the safest and most cost effective solution to the rock instability issues that have delayed the site works.”
“This project has to be done right to ensure that the safety of residents in the local area is fully safeguarded."
“But we’re also mindful on the financial cost and the additional funding for the amended scope will come from the CBD Utilities Upgrade budget in the upcoming financial year.”
Council’s director of Water and Waste Keith Parsons said the council was utilising experts on rock stability on the project.
“From the very beginning the project team has engaged geotechnical experts to provide specialised advice, but the sheer scale of the rock instability was only known after work began on the quarry rock face and surrounding hill slopes,” Mr Parsons said.
“Moving the final site for the reservoirs further way from the rock face and changing the blasting and excavation plan accordingly will come at an added cost but it provides the best way forward.”
The Council also resolved to retain Mendi Constructions as the major contractor for the project as the only supplier reasonably available to undertake the work, subject to negotiations and further risk assessment.
Council is planning more information sessions for residents living in the quarry area.
