The detailed design of the second stage of the water pipeline is set to begin with the tender awarded at Townsville City Council's Full Council meeting last week.
The tender was awarded to GHD for $6.1 million and will include the detailed design of the project, and technical support throughout the project advising on the manufacturing and supply of materials.
Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said awarding this tender meant Council could get started on stage 2 as soon as possible.
"With continued funding from the State Government, Council has been able to award the tender for the design of stage 2 to get the project moving," Cr Hill said.
"GHD has been awarded the contract due to the value for money their tender represented and their demonstrated capability to deliver such a major project.
"Council intends to break the delivery of stage 2 of the pipeline into small, manageable work packages to ensure that local contractors have an opportunity to share the work during the construction phase."
Townsville Water and Waste Committee chairperson Russ Cook said the work to connect stage 1 of the pipeline to stage 2 is still ongoing.
"The work to extend stage 1 of the pipeline under the Haughton is ongoing and making good progress and we're looking to be ready to commence construction of stage 2 late next year," Cr Cook said.
"Council has also begun project consultation with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we are able to start as soon as we possibly can."
The State Government has committed $195 million to the delivery of stage 2 of the water pipeline.
Stage 2 of the Haughton Pipeline project will see the existing pipeline extended from the Haughton River to the Burdekin River near Clare and will include around 33 kilometres of pipe as well as the construction of a new pump station and high voltage power supply infrastructure.
