Mount Morgan water pipeline fully funded with $40m funding in State Budget

The future of Mount Morgan’s water security was sealed with a major funding announcement for the pipeline project in the State Budget. See what other projects received funding here.

The future of Mount Morgan’s water security has been set in stone, with the State Government allocating cash to fully fund a pipeline project.

On Tuesday afternoon Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick handed down his budget for the 2022-23 financial year which included more than $40 million over the next three years for the Mount Morgan Pipeline project.

The funding announcement comes after the detailed business case was completed and adopted by Rockhampton Regional Council at an Infrastructure Committee meeting last month.

According to the budget papers, the State Government would provide $40.4 million dollars over the next three years to construct the pipeline, subject to the business case.

The funding commitment would mean the project, which is expected to cost about $40m, would be fully funded.

Rockhampton region Mayor Tony Williams said the announcement was “historic”.

“It’s a historic day for Rocky Regional Council and an even more momentous day for the Mount Morgan community, they finally will have a permanent water supply without having to rely on the environment or No 7 Dam,” he said.

Designs show the route of the Gracemere to Mount Morgan pipeline.

“Council has put in over $5m for the Lucas St reservoir, we’ve also got the $3.5m commitment from the Federal Election for the detailed design, so when you combine the three that’s about $48m that will see the project fully funded.”

More information on the progress of the project is expected in the coming weeks as the business case is handed to the State Government.

Mr Williams thanked Minister Butcher, Rockhampton MP Barry O’Rourke and his fellow councillors for their advocacy for the project in the lead up to securing the funding.

He said even if it were to rain tomorrow, the project would still go ahead.

“If it rains tomorrow or the day after nothing is going to stop us … it’s a very special day,” he said.

Rockhampton MP Barry O’Rourke said the funding commitment was one of the highlights in this year’s budget.

“This is a great outcome that provides water security for Mt Morgan residents and will save Rockhampton and Gracemere ratepayers millions of dollars a year,” he said.

Mr O’Rourke said the projects would create “good jobs” for people in Central Queensland.

Rockhampton Regional Council spokeswoman for Water and Environmental Sustainability Donna Kirkland and Mayor Tony Williams with the detailed business case for the Mount Morgan pipeline.

“This is about improving the lifestyle and amenities within Central Queensland, and the creation of good jobs through these projects,” he said.

“We’re very fortunate in Central Queensland to have a very good lifestyle and these projects are improving that even further.”

One Nation’s Mirani MP Stephen Andrew, whose electorate includes Mt Morgan, said he was ‘thrilled’ with the funding allocation.

“I was absolutely ecstatic when I heard, and so were the people of Mount Morgan when I told them the news,” Mr Andrew said.

“The pipeline is a major step toward delivering water security to the people and communities of Mirani.

“Mount Morgan’s households and businesses have been without reliable water supplies since the beginning of last year.”

Mr Andrew hoped the move would help secure other much-needed projects for the town, including the restoration of the historic gold mine and re-opening of Mount Morgan’s Fireclay Caverns.

He said he would be writing to Minister Butcher to thank him and also to ask that his Department look into ways of solving some of the other ongoing water supply issues facing small towns in his electorate, particularly those in the farming areas of the Lower Fitzroy.

As well as the pipeline, a number of other projects and services around Central Queensland received significant funding commitments.

Keppel MP Brittany Lauga said there was a “budget boost” for Great Keppel Island, which included $11.7 million to “deliver enabling infrastructure to stimulate tourism development on the island and the region”.

“Productive meetings have been held with key stakeholders as part of the Project Reference Group to develop a master plan for the Island,” she said.

“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to delivering infrastructure for Great Keppel to help grow jobs and tourism and business opportunities.

Member for Rockhampton Barry O'Rourke.

“It’ll be exciting for work to begin on infrastructure such as a new jetty and amenities.”

Federal MP for Capricornia Michelle Landry welcomed the funding announcement for the Mount Morgan pipeline, but questioned the timing.

“I welcome the investment made to build a water pipeline to Mt Morgan but why did it take this long to get funding for it?” she said.

“Rockhampton Regional Council has been sending 20 trucks of water every day from Gracemere to Mt Morgan for some time now and Mt Morgan has been begging for a permanent water solution.

“Residents in Mt Morgan will remember the Queensland Labor Government dragging their heels come election-time.”

Ms Landry also slammed the State Government for “ignoring” Central Queensland hospitals.

“I said before the budget was handed down that it will be focussed on the southeast corner, and it looks like I was right,” she said.

“The Queensland Government’s apparent record spend in new hospitals and beds outlines no more money, no more staff and no more assistance for Central Queensland hospitals, including the Rockhampton Base Hospital and Yeppoon Hospital.

Capricornia MP Michelle Landry.

“This is a slap in the face for all residents of Capricornia who rely on essential health services. Rockhampton has the worst hospital ramping rates in Queensland and their failure to do anything about it speaks volumes of the work ethic and credibility of the Member for Rockhampton and the Member for Keppel.”

In total $992.8 million was committed to Infrastructure in CQ with funding for projects including $50.4 million for works at the Stanwell Power Station and $59.4 million in 2022-23 out of a $1.065 billion total spend for the Rockhampton Ring Rd.

This year’s budget has been touted as a “record” for health, with a total of $753.3 million in commitments for Central Queensland Hospital and Health Services.

Announcements included $12.3m out of a $24.2m total spend for a cardiac hybrid theatre and the refurbishment and delivery of a six bed expansion to the mental health ward at Rockhampton Hospital, $8m out of a $10m total spend for the redevelopment of the emergency department and day surgery at Emerald Hospital.

The health funding also included $6.8 million out of a $12.5 million total spend for the replacement of the existing Woorabinda Multipurpose Health Service facility for a new accommodating building that will provide an additional 10 beds to meet future demands.

Member for Keppel Brittany Lauga.

Local road projects also had funds locked in with $3.7 million out of a $24 million total spend towards safety works on the Bruce Highway between Charnwood Road to Palm Creek between Benaraby and Gin Gin, $25m out of a total spend of $80m for upgrades to Rockhampton-Yeppoon Rd and $10.2m out of a total spend of $35m for upgrades to Gavial-Gracemere Rd.

Meanwhile in Gladstone, $6.7m out of a $15.3m spend was announced to co-fund the evaluation of a proposed CQ-H2 Hydrogen project, as well as $79.2m in funding for RG Tanna upgrades, a new shiploader, port services and Auckland Point Hill projects.

Education facilities around Central Queensland also didn’t miss out with $75.6m in upgrades to schools around the region as well as $4m out of a total spend of $8.4m for a Central Queensland University Rockhampton campus consolidation and a new Central Queensland TAFE Centre of Excellence.

To see the full list of Central Queensland projects to receive funding, visit the State Budget website.

Originally published as Mount Morgan water pipeline fully funded with $40m funding in State Budget