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Wulguru Wastewater Infrastructure Resilience Program

Investment	FY2025/26: Wright Street Sewer Upgrade: $2,200,000 * Stuart Drive Sewer Upgrade: $400,000 FY 2026/27 Stuart Drive Sewer Upgrade: $4.5 million
Goal	2.1.1 Enhance the city's ability to create resilient infrastructure through application for external funding and partnerships.
Strategic Purpose	To design and model an upgrade for priority wastewater networks, enhancing resilience during high-volume wet weather events.
Status	Wright Street Sewer Upgrade: Defects Liability. Stuart Drive Sewer Upgrade: Construction.

Project Background

As part of the 2021/22 Budget, Townsville City Council delivered the third and final stage of the Southern Suburbs Rising Main (SSRM) project, investing a total of $15.7 million to increase the wastewater system capacity in Wulguru. Works included $5.3 million for the construction of a new wastewater pump station and $10.4 million for a new gravity sewer and rising main.

Following the completion of the SSRM project, Council is preparing to further enhance wastewater resilience along Wright Street, Wulguru. Installing new wastewater infrastructure along the street will again increase capacity, reducing both the volume and frequency of wastewater overflows during wet weather events.

Project Overview

Council will deliver this program of works as two projects: the Wright Street Sewer Upgrade and the Stuart Drive Sewer Upgrade. The Wright Street Sewer Upgrade will be delivered first, followed immediately by the Stuart Drive Sewer Upgrade. Both projects must be delivered to achieve the intended benefits.

Wright Street Sewer Upgrade

The Wright Street Sewer Upgrade involved constructing a 225 mm nominal diameter pipe along Wright Street, extending from the intersection near Powell Street to the intersection near Stuart Drive. This new pipe redirects wastewater from Glenlyon Drive, Powell and Neelsen Streets, relieving the existing 150 mm pipe that currently services residents along Wright Street. Construction of this sewer is now complete.

Stuart Drive Sewer Upgrade

The Stuart Drive Sewer Upgrade will involve extending a 225 mm pipe under Stuart Drive and continuing north within the Townsville Turf Club until it connects with the existing 300 mm trunk gravity sewer at the intersection of Stuart Drive and Edison Street. The design has been completed, and construction will commence in June 2026, with works expected to be completed by October 2026.

Project Updates

Stage 1 works on Wright Street are nearing completion, with works expected to finish by the end of June 2026. Council thanks residents and businesses for their patience.

Stage 2 will begin in mid-June 2026, continuing the diversion sewer from Cluden Park to Wright Street. Works will include site setup, environmental controls and traffic management, open-trench excavation within Cluden Park, and installation of new sewer infrastructure, including a micro tunnel beneath Stuart Drive. Works will also involve vegetation management within the private Cluden Park boundary in coordination with the Townsville Turf Club, including the removal of 39 trees and planting of native species, before final connections at Wright Street.

Stage 2 is funded by Townsville City Council.