Riverway Drive upgrades impacted by water pipeline duplication project
State splashes cash on major Townsville water pipeline as the impact to Riverway Drive is revealed. See how you’ll be affected.
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More than $30m will be channelled to Townsville City Council as part of a $60m project to duplicate the pipeline between the Ross River Dam and the Douglas Water Treatment Plant.
The council is replacing the pipeline after it burst in late 2020 in the middle of a North Queensland summer, with strict water restrictions forbidding residents from showering for days.
The pipe, which carries 85 per cent of the city’s water, broke decades before it was expected to fail, forcing the council to replace it sooner rather than later.
The state government will provide $33m to the council as part of the Riverway Drive Stage Two upgrades.
The upgrades to Riverway Drive were tipped to cost $95m, the project expected to improve safety, capacity and efficiency for Upper Ross road users.
Work is expected to start later than anticipated so the pipeline can be completed first.
Thuringowa MP Aaron Harper said the funding would help shore up the city’s water supply long into the future.
“We’ve had a good few years of rain on the back of La Nina, but we all remember what happened in December 2020, which is something we don’t want to see again,” Mr Harper said.
“This $33 million funding commitment to help Townsville City Council deliver the duplication of this important water pipeline will strengthen Townsville’s water supply for many years to come.
“I’m pleased the Palaszczuk Government is coming to the table and working with Townsville City Council and Mayor Jenny Hill to help deliver this important upgrade as part of the Riverway Drive Stage Two Upgrade.
“I’ve been campaigning to improve Townsville’s water supply for a number of years now, and this $33 million package of funding is a huge step in the right direction.”
Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the need for extra funding was discovered during the planning phases of the Riverway Drive upgrade.
“This water pipeline runs within the Riverway Drive corridor and will be impacted by our Riverway Drive Stage Two project, so it made sense to upgrade the pipeline before we get to work on the road,” Mr Bailey said.
“After a number of productive meetings with Mayor Jenny Hill and Townsville City Council we’ve agreed to now contribute $33 million towards the pipeline duplication.
“This will impact the original timeline of the road project, but shoring up the water supply for Townsville is just as important as the road upgrade, so we want to make sure we get in and do it right.
“It means the people of Townsville will end up with not only a better road along Riverway Drive but also a more secure water supply.”
Mayor Jenny Hill said the council was committed to strengthening the city’s water security as the population grows.
“This generational investment will ensure Townsville locals have access to safe, clean drinking water both now and into the future,” Cr Hill said.
Originally published as Riverway Drive upgrades impacted by water pipeline duplication project
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