Mount Morgan’s $88.2 million Water Pipeline project in Central Queensland has reached another major milestone, with construction now complete and final testing and commissioning of the pipeline underway.
The project will address Mount Morgan’s historic water insecurity, by delivering a long-term sustainable water supply to the town, following three years of Level 6 water restrictions from 2021 to 2024.
Taps are expected to be turned on in early 2026 for the Mount Morgan community.
“Long-term water security is vital to Queenslanders, no matter where they live across our state. One of the Crisafulli Government’s priorities is to ensure affordable and accessible water for all Queenslanders and this pipeline delivers that for those living in Mount Morgan,” said Minister for Local Government and Water, Ann Leahy.
“This new infrastructure will improve water security in Gracemere and Mount Morgan is now complete and will soon be ready to supply water to residents in the region.
“This pipeline project is an excellent example of what all levels of government can achieve when working together to deliver infrastructure to support the needs and growth of the local community.”
The new pipeline will connect Mount Morgan to Rockhampton’s Fitzroy Barrage supply, with completed works including:
- Construction of a 28-kilometre potable water pipeline from the existing pump station at Gracemere to Mount Morgan.
- Construction of a new pump station on Old Capricorn Highway, including two new pumps.
- Construction of two new 3.65 megalitre reservoirs and a new pump station including two new pumps at Lucas Street Gracemere, and;
- Construction of a 500 kilolitre reservoir and new pump station including two new pumps at Moonmerra, which is approximately halfway along the pipeline route.
The new treated water supply for Mount Morgan will originate from the Athelstane Reservoirs in South Rockhampton, feed to the new Lucas Street Reservoirs in Gracemere, before being pumped to the Moonmerra pump station, which acts as the final booster pump station for supply to the Mount Morgan South Reservoir.
“I’m really proud to see the project reach this milestone and I’m counting down the days to the moment we turn on the taps,” said Rockhampton Mayor, Tony Williams.
“In 2021, we made a commitment to Mount Morgan to find them a long-term sustainable solution to their water insecurity and we are so close to achieving that.
“This is about unlocking Mount Morgan’s future and giving them the tools they need to grow and thrive.
“We have so many opportunities for our region to really move forward and the Mount Morgan Pipeline is part of that.”
The Mount Morgan Water Supply Pipeline is jointly funded between the Australian Government ($30 million), Queensland Government ($40.4 million) and Rockhampton Regional Council ($17.8 million). Australian Government funding is provided through the National Water Grid Fund.
Water quality testing will follow the commissioning phase, to ensure that drinking water in the new pipeline passes regulation requirements.
