Mt Morgan Pipeline progress: Gracemere reservoirs under construction

Published on 30 September 2024

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  • New milestone reached on Mount Morgan Pipeline project
  • Construction progressing for new Lucas Street reservoirs
  • About 21km of pipes laid for the 28km pipeline
  • The pipeline will improve water security for Mount Morgan and Gracemere communities

The Mount Morgan Pipeline project has marked another milestone with construction underway on the two new Lucas Street reservoirs in Gracemere and only 7km of the 28km pipeline left to lay.

Contractor Haslin has poured the foundations of the two new concrete reservoirs and begun construction of their concrete walls. When completed, each reservoir will have the capacity to hold 3.65 megalitres (combined, almost three Olympic swimming pools) of treated potable water.

Pipelaying on Razorback Road and in Mount Morgan is also progressing with about 21km of the total 28km already in the ground.

Works on the new Lucas Street pump station will commence once construction of the Gracemere reservoirs’ walls are completed.

Construction and groundworks for the Moonmera and Old Capricorn Highway pump stations is also in progress.  

Once complete, the pipeline, reservoirs and water pump stations will deliver improved water security for Gracemere and provide a long-term sustainable water supply solution for the Mount Morgan community following three years of Level 6 water restrictions.

The project is expected to support 50 local jobs throughout construction with local contractors used for a range of works and services, including the Razorback Road improvement works and services.

The Mount Morgan Water Pipeline project includes:

  • The 28km pipeline from Gracemere to Mount Morgan
  • Upgrades to the Old Capricorn Highway pump station
  • New reservoirs and new pump station at Lucas Street, Gracemere
  • A new pump station and small reservoir at Moonmera, halfway along the route to Mount Morgan

The project is on track for completion in September 2025, weather permitting.

The $88.2 million project, which is jointly funded by the Australian Government, through the National Water Grid Fund and the Queensland Government with Rockhampton Regional Council, began construction in January 2024 following three years of sustained drought across the Mount Morgan No. 7 Dam catchment.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water, Glenn Butcher:

“I’m proud to be part of the Miles Labor Government that is delivering water security for Mount Morgan with the 28km Gracemere to Mount Morgan Pipeline.

“Great to see another milestone for this important project for Mount Morgan.

“You can always count on our Miles Labor Government to deliver water security for regional communities.

“All the LNP do is complain, they can never be trusted to deliver the water infrastructure our growing communities like Rockhampton need. All they ever do is cut, sack and make excuses.

“While we’re just getting on with it, we know from last time what an LNP Government means for Central Queensland – cuts and excuses.

“Our investments in water infrastructure in projects like the Mount Morgan pipeline, its not just about water security, its about tackling cost of living. Because every dollar of the $40.4 million we’ve stumped up is funding the Council doesn’t need to spend, keeping downward pressure on rates and water charges.

Comments attributable to Rockhampton Regional Council Mayor, Tony Williams:

"This project is an absolute game-changer for Mount Morgan.  We know that we simply don’t have the catchment size or the rainfall to provide that vital water security the town needs over the long-term.

“That’s why we have worked with the Albanese and Miles Labor Governments to deliver the Mount Morgan Pipeline which will ensure that our community can grow and share in the jobs and economic opportunities we are pursuing as a region.

“This is a project which has been long talked about and now with this support we are able to deliver this for Mount Morgan’s future.”

Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek:

“It’s fantastic to see the Mount Morgan project moving along.

“We all know just how important this is for the community, with strong backing from all 3 levels of government.

“The Albanese Government understands regional communities like Mount Morgan play a huge role in our national prosperity.

“I’m looking forward to water carting becoming a thing of the past, as this project delivers a reliable pipeline of water for Mount Morgan and improved water security for surrounding towns.

“The Members for Flynn and Capricornia would rather be talking about nuclear energy than making sure there’s water for taps in communities like Mount Morgan. They don’t get it – and they remind us every day how out of touch the LNP are to regional Queensland.

“10 years of Coalition Government in Canberra delivered no water security projects in Queensland. This project is proof of what can be achieved when all levels of government work together and prioritise water security.”