PUT THAT IN YOUR PIPE

COUNCIL’S CASH SPLASH TO FAST TRACK WATER PROJECT

TOWNSVILLE City Council is forging ahead with its plan to fast track the Haughton pipeline duplication after securing a loan to fund construction.

The Townsville Bulletin understands the council’s 2018- 19 Budget, which is due to be handed down on Tuesday, will include about $ 150 million for the pipeline project.

Sources said the council would have to borrow more than $ 130 million through a working capital facility administered by Queensland Treasury.

The interest payment is yet to be determined but it is believed the bill could be about $ 2 million for 2018- 19.

The State Government has allocated $ 200 million for the pipeline’s construction spread across two equal payments to council in the 2019- 20 and 2020- 21 financial years.

Earlier this year the council made no apology for its plan to borrow the money and complete the project by the end of 2019, 18 months earlier than the payment plan.

“This will be one of the biggest jobcreating projects in Townsville in many years and we believe the State Government understands the value in fasttracking this infrastructure,” Mayor Jenny Hill said in March.

Sources said the council had continued to lobby the Government to bring the funding forward but secured the loan in the meantime to ensure the build continued as planned.

They also said the council was currently ahead of schedule for the build, with construction expected to “ramp up” significantly very soon.

It is understood the council will open a round of major civil construction tenders for the pipeline project shortly after the budget announcement.

These tender packages will generate a significant number of jobs in various trade skill areas.

Cr Hill yesterday confirmed there would be a “large” funding commitment for the pipeline in the budget.

“The final financial figures will be revealed in Tuesday’s budget, but residents can expect a large investment in the new water pipeline to ensure it is built by the end of 2019,” she said.

“The new water pipeline was council’s top infrastructure priority and we’re getting it done as quickly as possible, despite the Queensland Government not bringing forward funding for this crucial project.”

Cr Hill said the council was “absolutely committed” to ensuring the pipe- line was built by December next year. The pipeline funding will be the jewel in the council’s budget crown, which is expected to have a strong infrastructure focus.

Last week the Townsville Bulletin revealed the council planned to redirect $ 18.5 million slated for the construction of a private airstrip for Adani into other “shovel ready” projects.

Sources said this funding would be distributed among a number of projects, which could include part of the pipeline spend.

THE FINAL FINANCIAL FIGURES WILL BE REVEALED IN TUESDAY’S BUDGET, BUT RESIDENTS CAN EXPECT A LARGE INVESTMENT IN THE NEW WATER PIPELINE TO ENSURE IT IS BUILT BY THE END OF 2019 MAYOR JENNY HILL