Haughton Pipeline FAQs
Were savings made on Stage 1 construction and if so, what was done with the money?
An underspend of approximately $15 million of the State Government’s grant was approved to be redirected to Council’s Recycled Water Reuse Scheme, part of Council’s 3-point water security strategy.
Has Council received funds pledged in the State Budget for the 2021/22 financial year to commence Stage 2 work?
Yes
When did Stage 2 design commence, what is the expected completion date and how was that date determined?
Stage 2 design commenced in November 2020. The completion date in 2025 is based on the development of detailed designs and subsequent construction.
Detailed design includes the need to confirm alignments, conduct various investigative and site investigation activities including survey, geotechnical, cultural heritage, land use and owner consultation, establish rights of access, and obtain land planning and environmental approvals.
Construction periods are based on time required to manufacture, supply and install pipe, construction of a new pump station, and installation of new HV power infrastructure.
What is the project cost and could the costs go higher with supply chain challenges and rising costs?
Council’s current estimate of $274m includes a $79M contribution from Townsville City Council. Current supply chain challenges and fuel costs are placing pressure on project cost estimates.
If renewables are being used by the project, how does Council plan to meet rising costs to pump using diesel fuel?
Power for the pump station operation will be accessed from a nearby HV grid connection.
Has the land acquisition process for the Haughton Pipeline Stage 2 been finalised?
Land acquisition discussions are progressing with landowners and access agreements for doing site investigations are in place.
Consultation with landowners for construction accesses and final easements is underway and land valuation assessments have been conducted.
Final easements will be registered after construction activities are complete.
The location of new HV substation has been reviewed to reduce landowner impacts and optimise the pump station land footprint and flood resilience.
Acquisition of land required for the new pump station site has commenced and involves the Burdekin Shire Council and relevant State Government departments.
Approvals for Council to exercise its powers outside of its local government area in relation to land acquisitions has been agreed to and provided by the Minister
Have environmental approval processes been completed?
The Environmental approval process is well progressed.
The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water declared the project a controlled action to be assessed by preliminary documentation due to the potential residual impact on Black Throated Finch, Bare Rumped Sheath Tailed Bat, and Koala habitats.
The Department has requested additional information. Council has spent several months in the second half of 2022 conducting further survey work and developing an Offset Management Strategy and Plan to accompany the submission. Council lodged its response to the additional information request in late October. It is anticipated the document will be available for public comment by the end of 2022.
Have any potential cultural heritage approvals been identified and finalised?
Yes, a cultural heritage management agreement was entered into in December 2020, and cultural heritage surveys of areas to be impacted by the project completed in December 2021.
The discovery of a culturally significant site resulted in a minor adjustment to the pipeline alignment within the construction easement corridor.
Have council, state and federal representatives met to discuss this project?
Council has signed a deed with the State Government which sets out expectations for reporting, milestones, and regular meetings. Council officers have met with relevant State and Federal Government officers at relevant stages of the project and continue to meet on a regular basis.
