Iplex Australia says it will start manufacturing glass reinforced polyester (GRP) pipe fittings in Townsville and reopen its polyethylene (PE) pipe plant in the city on the back of council water infrastructure commitments.
The company has been awarded the contract to supply pipe for Stage 1 of the Townsville City Council’s Haughton Pipeline Duplication project after a competitive tender process.
Iplex Australia general manager Nicole Sumich said the company was delighted to partner with the council and local contractors to help guarantee Townsville’s future water security and boost local employment.
“The FLOWTITE® GRP pipe and fittings technology we will be using for this project is supplied by our partner RPC Pipe Systems (RPC PS), and provides a sophisticated solution,” she said.
“It has been in use for over 40 years and manufactured at their Adelaide site since 2007, but is relatively new technology for Townsville and North Queensland.
“This technology is lightweight, safe, easy and fast to install, and will deliver meaningful installation and running cost savings over the life of the project, in addition to being the best value for money choice.”
Ms Sumich said up to 20 people would be employed locally to manufacture the GRP fittings, as well as additional project management personnel.
“In addition to being awarded this tender, and off the back of increased demand for polyethylene (PE) pipe products in north Queensland, we are today announcing we will also be reopening our Townsville PE plant,” she said.
“This will provide employment for up to a further 16 people, who will help us make high-quality, reliable piping for use in a broader range of commercial and infrastructure projects across the region.
“The water pipe project and PE plant reopening combined will also stimulate further indirect employment of between 15 and 20 local people.”
Industry briefing next week
Townsville City Council plans to host another industry information session on the new water pipeline project on Friday, May 4.
Mayor Jenny Hill said this would demonstrate to local firms how to get involved in the project.
“Council awarded the tender for the supply of pipe for the 36.5km pipeline this week, but many more local companies – and workers – will be needed to ensure this crucial infrastructure is delivered,” Cr Hill said.
“The pipeline will need all sorts of workers including surveyors, civil engineers, truck drivers and labourers – just to name a few.
“There’s plenty of work available on the pipeline and we want to create as many jobs as possible for locals.
“Anyone with a small to medium-sized business should come along to the information session on Friday to find out how they can be a part of the project.”
The information session will be held at the Mayoral Reception Room at 103 Walker St. Doors open at 8.45am for a 9am start. The event is expected to conclude at 11am.
To express interest in attending, RSVP to [email protected] with the subject title “HPDP – Local Industry Information Session” and provide details about your company and who will be attending.
RSVPs close 3pm, Wednesday, May 2. For more information call 13 48 10.
