Works to begin on Wulguru wastewater project early 2026

Townsville City Council will invest more than $7 million in the Wulguru Wastewater Infrastructure Resilience Program that will include an upgrade of the gravity sewer network servicing more than 250 properties, to continue to address ongoing wastewater issues in Wulguru during wet weather events.

Council held a community meeting to engage with residents on the plan for sewer upgrades on Wright Street and Stuart Drive last night. Newly sworn-in Mayor Nick Dametto was in attendance, alongside divisional Councillor Brady Ellis and a number of Wulguru residents.

Mayor Nick Dametto said it was imperative that Council invested in the upgrade now despite being unsuccessful in a number of funding requests following this year’s wet weather events in February and March.

“These residents have had enough, and rightly so. While I acknowledge the enormous deluge we had at the beginning of the year, it is evident that this upgrade needs to begin as soon as possible,” Cr Dametto said.

Which is why Council is investing $7.2 million in getting new pipes in the ground, enhancing our sewer network and capacity to keep wastewater out of people’s houses.”

Divisional Councillor, Brady Ellis said the engineering solution included upgrades to the sewer network, including increasing the size and capacity of the sewer pipe on Wright Street and extending it to connect to a larger trunk main adjacent to Edison Street, as well as upgrades to the University Drive pump station infrastructure to enhance pumping capabilities.

“This project builds on improvements in the sewer network in recent years and will enhance the area’s wastewater infrastructure’s resilience,” Cr Ellis said said.

“The Wright Street upgrade will see Council increasing the capacity of the network by installing a new larger diameter pipeline to increase the volume of wastewater that can be transported from the network above Wright Street.

“The Stuart Drive upgrade will connect the infrastructure to a larger trunk main adjacent to Edison Street and involve installing a new pipeline under Stuart Drive.”

Councillor Dametto said Council had been unsuccessful in gaining external funding for the critical project, however he would continue to lobby his state and federal counterparts.

“This project needs to happen. These residents should not go through yet another wet season without a solution in sight, which is why I’m glad these works will get started in early 2026,” Cr Dametto said.

“There has been a lot of learnings that have come from recent weather events, and I have been pleased to understand Council has been working to optimise current infrastructure and pump station operations based on analysis of the record-breaking weather event at the beginning of this year.

Initially Council will allocate more than $7.2 million toward the Wulguru Wastewater Infrastructure Resilience Program which is set to begin after the wet season in 2026.

Works are expected to be completed by late 2026, for more information including a timeline of works, visit the Wulguru Wastewater Infrastructure Resilience Program project page.