Queensland’s Fitzroy to Gladstone Pipeline project is now 50 per cent complete, as the 2024-25 State Budget included $311 million funding for the project.
The 117km pipeline will run from the Fitzroy River near Rockhampton and connect to Gladstone Area Water Board’s (GAWB) existing water network at Yarwun.
Major construction of two Aldoga Reservoirs is also underway. Located at the southern section of the pipeline, the two reservoirs will hold up to 100ML of water and will also feed into the existing GAWB water network.
The Queensland Government said that the project has created and supported 400 jobs and 25 apprenticeships during peak construction and GAWB has engaged 111 Central Queensland businesses, with $71.6 million spent locally.
The Fitzroy to Gladstone Pipeline is expected to be operational in 2026, weather and construction conditions permitting.
The project is part of the Queensland Government’s $5.8 billion investment in water infrastructure.
Queensland Premier, Steven Miles, said, “The Fitzroy to Gladstone Pipeline isn’t just bringing water security to Gladstone, it will unlock more jobs in emerging industries like hydrogen and critical minerals, which are vital to our Energy and Jobs Plan.
“This pipeline will help secure Gladstone’s future as a renewable energy powerhouse, but right now the project is benefitting businesses right across CQ, with 111 local businesses helping the construction effort.
“That’s more local jobs and more supplier opportunities right across Central Queensland thanks to this important Big Build project.”
Queensland Minister for Water and Member for Gladstone, Glenn Butcher, said, “Once complete, the pipeline will have capacity to transport 30,000ML of water per annum to Gladstone, equivalent to 12,000 Olympic-sized pools.
“Not only will it create 400 jobs during peak construction, but we’re investing in upskilling the next generation, with more than 25 apprenticeships and traineeships available on the project.”
Gladstone Area Water Board’s Chief Operating Officer, Hugh Barbour, said, “I am pleased to announce that our principal contractors, McConnell Dowell BMD Joint Venture, are now 50 percent through pipe installation, with more than 63km of pipe laid to date.
“There has been meticulous planning and preparation to get to this point and it is thanks to the crews for their commitment to safety and quality that we have now arrived smoothly at the halfway mark.”
Mr Barbour said that it is an important milestone for the Gladstone Area Water Board and he looks forward to celebrating completion of the pipeline installation later in 2024.
“Construction work at the Laurel Bank intake, Alton Downs water treatment plant and Aldoga reservoirs are also progressing well and we are on track for commissioning and operation of the pipeline in 2026.
“We are committed to keeping local communities informed about ongoing works and have recently hosted a series of community information sessions in Gracemere, Alton Downs and Yarwun.”
Schwarz Excavations’ General Manager, Jeffrey Schwarz, said, “The Fitzroy to Gladstone pipeline certainly is a good project to be part of. Schwarz Excavations has been working on the project since April 2023. This is a big project for water security and future industries, so it is really exciting for our business.
“We are proudly based in Gracemere and employ over 100 Central Queenslanders. With up to 60 people and 35 machines working on the Fitzroy to Gladstone Pipeline project at any given time.”
Image credit: Tammy27/Shutterstock.com.
