Pipeline’s delay will boost local industry
townsvillebulletin. com. au TOWNSVILLE residents may have to wait a further six months for water security if the Haughton pipeline duplication is to be built locally.
The $ 215 million project is being facilitated through Townsville City Council, with local steel companies having until January to register their expressions of interest.
The council held its water industry forum on Wednesday, when 125 representatives from Townsville and interstate businesses attended.
Water Taskforce chairman Brad Webb said building the pipes locally may slow the project down by up to six months.
“What we’re trying to do is make the pipes locally,” he said. “That may slow us down. We can only go as fast as industry allows us.”
Mr Webb said the pipe would have to be rolled, welded together and then coated.
“We need to establish a longterm pipe business,” he said.
“It would be worth the wait to establish another business which would give us longevity in the steel industry.
“T h e manufacturing of the pipe needs to be done in Townsville.
“T h e question I’ve been asked is ‘ How would you feel if it took a bit longer?’
“I would be more than comfortable to push it out a reasonable time to ensure the work comes to Townsville. It could take an extra six months.”
When asked whether extending the project would place added pressure on the existing pipeline, Mr Webb said it was a risk the community should take.
“You can monitor as it gets closer,” he said. “That’s a risk we would manage.”
Mayor Jenny Hill said local firms needed to be competitive.
“If you can remain competitive, there’s a lot of work out there for you,” she said.
“I think we’ll be turning the sod very soon. I hope it will be finished by the end of 2019.”
Cr Hill said businesses had been talking to each other.
“They’re saying ‘ We can do this, this and this.’ I think there will be ( firms winning work).
“We’re not going to know unless we test it.”
Water for Townsville Action Group spokeswoman Linda Ashton said the group had told the taskforce in February that the pipeline would not be able to be made locally.
“There are still quite a few hurdles to jump,” she said.
“It doesn’t come as a surprise. I was at the industry ( forum). No one was jumping up and down claiming we can build the whole thing here.
“We just can’t help it that we don’t have the plant here. If they did build a plant here, it might be for one small project.
“The smart, quick way would be to work with a major construction company.”