Council awards water pipeline contracts

Date published: 23 January 2018

The first contracts for the $215 million water pipeline will be awarded to three companies with local operations.

The three companies – SMEC, GHD and Premise - have been appointed for engineering, final design and project management, respectively, for the pipeline project.

Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said Council had moved swiftly to select these companies and the project was on track to be completed within 26 months.

“We’ve already started work on the pipeline and this is another important milestone,” Cr Hill said.

“Awarding the first contracts for the pipeline is a significant achievement and it allows Council to move on to the next stage of the project.

“It’s great that the companies selected will be employing locals to work on Townsville’s most important infrastructure project.”

The companies will be announced after being appointed at today’s Townsville City Council meeting.

Townsville Water and Waste General Manager Scott Moorhead said the pipeline was Council’s top infrastructure priority.

“Council knows how important this pipeline is to our community and the project is on track to be delivered within 26 months,” he said.

“It’s the final countdown to establishing a long-term water security solution for Townsville.

“Townsville has been hit by a once-in-a-generation drought and Council is determined to ensure our city has the infrastructure it needs to overcome one of the driest spells in decades.

“Council is committed to finishing the pipeline by the end of next year, and making sure the project creates as many local jobs as possible.”