New pump stations and a potable water pipeline will be built as part of a $88.2 million project to shore up water supply at Mount Morgan in Queensland.
The 28km pipeline will connect the existing pump station at Gracemere to Mount Morgan, while new pump stations will be built on Old Capricorn Highway; Lucas Street, Gracemere (alongside two new 3.65-megalitre reservoirs); and Moonmerra (alongside a 500-kilolitre reservoir).
This will see Mount Morgan’s new treated water supply start at the Athelstane Reservoirs in South Rockhampton, feed to the new Lucas Street reservoirs, before being pumped to the Moonmerra pump station – the final booster pump station to provide supply to the Mount Morgan South Reservoir.
“This project will deliver a meaningful lifeline for the community of Mount Morgan for generations to come, helping the town to thrive,” Federal Minister for the Environment and Water Murray Watt said.
“After more than two and a half years relying on water carting and facing costly, unreliable supply, local communities will soon have access to safe, permanent drinking water at the turn of the tap.”
Queensland water councillor Edward Oram set the scene for the project.
“We have over 28 kilometres of pipe to disinfect, clean, test and confirm before we can turn on the taps,” he said.
“Water quality is a regulated process, and the final stages are all about ensuring the water supply is safe and meets all standards.
“Once the system is fully approved, Mount Morgan residents will continue to have safe and reliable water from the Fitzroy, no longer reliant on the dam supply and the risks that come with that.”
Taps are expected be turned on in early 2026 for Mount Morgan – a community which has faced Level 6 water restrictions from 2021 to 2024.
The Queensland Government has committed $40.4 million to the cause, with the Federal Government committing $30 million through the National Water Grid Fund, and the Rockhampton Regional Council $17.8 million.
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