Townsville engineering, planning, and environmental consultants and suppliers and contractors are being encouraged to attend industry briefings on the second stage of the Haughton pipeline project next Friday 21 August.
A general industry briefing for interested suppliers and contractors will be held from 12-1pm, while a more detailed briefing for prospective principal consultants for the design, planning, environmental, and engineering services will be held from 1.45-2.45pm.
Both events will be held at Townsville Stadium in Annandale. Those interested in attending should register on the Townsville City Council website or call 134 810.
Mayor Jenny Hill encouraged local businesses interested in working on the project to attend and learn about the scope of the project and how they could tender for work.
"Now the funding for the second stage of the pipeline has been locked in, Townsville City Council is pushing ahead with planning so it can start construction as soon as possible," Cr Hill said.
"Some 95 per cent of the construction work on stage 1 of the pipeline was delivered by locally-based contractors, which delivered a tremendous boost to the local economy.
"We want to see this level of local involvement continue with the $195 million second stage.
"As we did with stage 1, Council will package the works for stage 2 into smaller parcels of work to give local businesses the opportunity to tender for it."
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.
Member for Townsville Scott Stewart said the State Government's investment in stage 2 would deliver an economic boost, create jobs as well as provide water security, for the city.
"The $215 million first stage of the Haughton pipeline project supported about 1000 jobs, and just as many are expected to be supported with stage 2," Mr Stewart said.
"With the world and Townsville's economy taking a hit because of the COVID-19 pandemic, this project will provide the economic stimulus we need to recover.
"This project is also about ensuring Townsville has the water it needs now and for the next 50 years."
"That's why we fought to secure funding for this very important infrastructure project, which will support local jobs and provide water security for the city."
