Haughton Pipeline Project
| Investment | $225 million for Stage 1, $274 million for Stage 2 |
|---|---|
| Jobs | 1,000 for Stage 1, 300 for Stage 2 |
| Goal | 4. A sustainable destination that embraces and participates in the arts, sports and events and recreational activities. |
| Strategic Purpose | A water security initiative supporting the city’s Ross River Dam water catchment by providing greater capacity to deliver raw water into the Dam to augment or “top up” water levels during periods of very low rainfall. |
| Status | Stage 1 complete, Stage 2 tender |
Frequently Asked Questions
View our Frequently Asked Questions page for the latest information and updates regarding the Haughton Pipeline project.
Townsville City Council began preliminary work on Stage 2 of the Haughton pipeline in 2020.
Design work for Stage 2 of the Haughton pipeline has identified an alignment for the Stage 2 pipeline. Cost estimates are ongoing for construction and installation of approximately 30km of 1.8metre pipeline, development of a new pump station and the new power supply options required to extend the existing Stage 1 pipeline from the Haughton River to the Burdekin River in the vicinity of Clare.
- Offset Area Management Plan for Haughton Pipeline Stage 2 project (PDF, 16.1 MB)
- Stage 2 Frequently Asked Questions (PDF, 2.2 MB)
- Download the Project Timeline (PDF, 82.7 KB)
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Project Overview
Final design, environmental approval and land tenure planning is currently being progressed on this major piece of infrastructure that will serve our community for 50 years. Detailed design work for Stage 2 of the Haughton pipeline has identified and is finalising an alignment to connect and extend the existing pipeline from the Haughton River to the Burdekin River near Clare.
Funded by Townsville City Council and the Queensland Government, the investment for Stage 2 is $274 million, with $195 million of this contributed by the Queensland Government. Stage 2 is a greenfield site, covering approximately 30km and is completely different to Stage 1, which was predominantly built within existing easements and land corridors.
Since the funding agreement between the Queensland Government and Council was signed, Council has undertaken significant work.
The Haughton Pipeline Project (HPP) is extending the Stage 1 water pipeline to source water from the Burdekin River to the Ross River Dam.
A Townsville City Council and Queensland Government funded water security initiative for Townsville, the pipeline will support the city’s Ross River Dam water catchment. When complete, the water pipeline will provide greater capacity to provide raw water into the Ross River Dam to augment or “top up” water levels during periods of very low rainfall.
Works to date include:
- The first two deliveries of pipe have been delivered to the Port of Townsville in September and November 2022.
- The Project’s revised EPBC submission was lodged with the Commonwealth on 28 October 2022.
- Several major contracts have been let – design and engineering services, contract management services, and pipe suppliers.
- Numerous professional service providers have been engaged to provide specialist services for probity, land valuation, cultural heritage, native title, contracts, quantity surveying, HV connections, and design review.
- Agreements have been established with major material and equipment suppliers and local construction contractors to assist with logistics of supply, selection of materials, constructability in design, risk identification, and programming of delivery.
- A Cultural Heritage Management Agreement was negotiated and signed with Bindal Traditional Owners. A biennial review is scheduled for December 2022.
- Three land access licence agreements have been negotiated with landowners.
- Bore drilling, ground survey and environmental survey work is complete.
Construction of stage 1 of the 36.5km, 1.8m-diameter pipeline is complete.
$100 million of the stage 1 project budget has been spent locally, with around 200 businesses involved and 1,000 people inducted to work onsite.
Stage 1.1 works to extend the pipeline a further 330 metres across the Haughton River are complete, and the installation of approximately a further 3.8km of pipeline to connect from the Haughton River crossing is close to completion.
Stage 1 of the pipeline was funded by the Queensland Government, which provided $225 million to Townsville City Council to improve water security in Townsville – including $10 million for water education programs.
The Queensland Government has contributed $225 million to improve water security in Townsville.
Works Notification
Consultation
As part of Council’s commitment to maximising opportunities for local businesses to participate in the project, between November 2017 and May 2018, three community consultation sessions were held to engage local contractors, sub-contractors and suppliers.
Any queries relating to water access should be directed to Townsville Water directly via enquiries@townsville.qld.gov.au
Media Releases
2021
2020
- 03/11/2020 - Design tender for stage 2 of water pipeline awarded
- 13/10/2020 - Further Industry briefings for stage 2 of Haughton pipeline
- 14/08/2020 - Industry briefings for stage 2 of Haughton pipeline
- 02/06/2020 - Stage 1 of Haughton pipeline project complete
- 11/05/2020 - Tenders called for next section of Haughton pipeline
- 17/02/2020 - New tender ensures water pipeline project continues to pump out jobs for locals
- 04/02/2020 - Pipeline passes pressure tests
- 17/01/2020 - Pipelines being laid for Townsville's future
2019
- 11/12/2019 - Haughton pipeline reaches another milestone
- 01/10/2019 - Mayor praises selfless efforts of Water Pipeline contractors
- 26/09/2019 - Water Smart Package proves a big hit with residents
- 19/09/2019 - Statement regarding Water Smart Package outcomes
- 16/07/2019 - Water package launches jobs, smart water use across city
- 27/06/2019 - Another 20 jobs flowing from Townsville’s water pipeline project
- 25/06/2019 - 2019/20 Budget - Water security projects flowing in Council Budget
- 04/06/2019 - 200 jobs and $30 million flow from Townsville pipeline
- 01/05/2019 - Council endorses process to acquire easement along pipeline alignment
- 17/04/2019 - Another milestone reached on Townsville’s new pipeline project
- 06/04/2019 - Pipeline project returning to full swing
- 15/03/2019 - Work continues on Townsville pipeline project
- 25/01/2019 - Pipeline project boosting Townsville's advanced manufacturing
- 25/01/2019 - Up to 1000 local jobs to flow from pipeline
- 24/01/2019 - First pipes installed on Townsville's water pipeline project
- 16/01/2019 - Tunnel boring machine about to bite into pipeline project
2018
- 21/12/2018 - Construction on pipeline project reaching full thrust
- 11/12/2018 - More new jobs flowing from Townsville’s new water pipeline
- 10/12/2018 - Townsville’s new water pipeline digging up more jobs for locals
- 07/12/2018 - Second shipment of pipes arrive in Townsville for new water pipeline
- 16/11/2018 - More jobs spouting from Townsville’s water pipeline
- 04/11/2018 - Pipeline funding commitments welcomed
- 01/11/2018 - 100 local jobs from water pipeline installation
- 22/10/2018 - Townsville's new water pipeline above board as first pipe shipment arrives
- 04/10/2018 - Local job opportunities spouting from pipeline project
- 29/08/2018 - Townsville's water pipeline - on track
- 21/08/2018 - Pipeline reaches next key milestone
- 07/08/2018 - Dozens of jobs flow from pipeline as Civil Works start
- 16/07/2018 - 50 jobs created after Council awards pipeline Civil Works package to local firm Mendi
- 26/06/2018 - Budget 2018/19 - Funding to flow for new water pipeline
- 02/06/2018 - More jobs to flow from water pipeline project
- 18/05/2018 - Pipeline construction and installation EOI's to open this weekend
- 03/05/2018 - Huge interest in council's next pipeline industry information session
- 27/04/2018 - Local firms encouraged to attend pipeline information session
- 26/04/2018 - Production to restart at local pipe manufacturing facility
- 24/04/2018 - Pipe tender for new water pipeline awarded to Iplex
- 18/04/2018 - Another key milestone for the $215 million water pipeline
- 04/04/2018 - Companies shortlisted for pipe supply tender
- 16/03/2018 - Local firms encouraged to attend pipeline information session
- 06/02/2018 - New pipeline tender
- 23/01/2018 - Council awards water pipeline contracts
2017
The Haughton Pipeline Stage 2 Project is being developed with the support of the Queensland Government in association with Townsville City Council.
