Townsville City Council has awarded the tender to supply pipe for the $215 million Haughton Pipeline Duplication Project to Iplex Pipelines.
The pipe will be made from glass reinforced polyester, described by the council as a durable product to suit north Queensland conditions.
Mayor Jenny Hill said the pipe tender was one of the biggest components of the pipeline project and would ensure new manufacturing jobs flowed into Townsville.
The Iplex bid was chosen after the council voted in early April to negotiate with two shortlisted companies, Iplex Pipelines Australia and Steel Mains, to supply and deliver 36.5km of 1800mm diameter (nominal size) pipe and associated fittings for the project.
The council’s $225 million three-point water security solution includes:
- The new water pipeline
- A recycled water system for community spaces and industrial use
- The Community Water Transition Support Package
The Haughton Pipeline Duplication Project will provide up to 234 megalitres of water per day into the Ross Dam – allowing more water to be pumped more efficiently than the existing 1.2m diameter pipeline.
Townsville Water and Waste Committee chair Cr Paul Jacob said the awarding of the pipe tender was a milestone for the water pipeline project.
“The creation of new jobs on the pipeline project will start to ramp up from now – and have further flow-on benefits when civil works start – as a result of this milestone contract,” Cr Jacob said.
“The pipeline is one of the biggest infrastructure projects in Townsville in a generation and Council staff have made sure we have got the best product to ensure the pipeline delivers long-term water security for our community.”
Council has committed to building the pipeline within 26 months, which is due to be complete by December 2019.
