KINKS IN PIPELINE

Haughton design has patent problem

TOWNSVILLE firms may not be allowed to build the duplicate Haughton pipeline due to concerns raised about a design patent. .

The project to duplicate the pipeline from Burdekin Falls Dam to Ross River Dam may now have to be a joint venture between locals and Melbourne’s Steel Mains.

Cr Paul Jacob s said S Steel Mains had a pat- ent on aspects of the design, meaning a joint venture with local firms may be required.

“Whether it will all be manufactured here will be decided in coming weeks,” he said.

TOWNSVILLE’S week of relief has come to an end after more than 100mm of rain fell in the city in the last seven days.

The rainfall has smashed Townsville’s average monthly for October of 23.4mm.

Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Michael Paech said at this stage he was not forecasting any more rain for the next week.

“We really do see conditions fine from now,” Mr Paech said.

Today’s prediction shows a 30 per cent chance of a shower in the morning and afternoon. As of 5am yesterday, the Ross River Dam was at 16 per cent and holding 37,944 megalitres.

“We know the dams in the region had been struggling,” Mr Paech said.

“The southern hinterland falls, hitting the catchment into the Ross River, saw an excess of 100mm.”

Higher figures for the Townsville region included 165mm falling at Woolshed and 172mm at Upper Creek.

Further north, the Paluma Dam received 319mm over the same period and now sits at 75 per cent capacity.

Some weather experts are predicting a La Nina event developing later this year which would be expected to bring higher- than- average rainfall figures for North Queensland over the coming wet season.

The last La Nina event was in 2010- 11.