The Fitzroy to Gladstone Pipeline has made a milestone connection, bringing the region another step closer to a secure water future.
The Fitzroy to Gladstone Pipeline (FGP), an almost $1 billion project that will deliver water security and up to 30GL of water a year to Gladstone, has made significant progress since the project was announced in February 2023.
In late November 2024, the FGP team connected the pipeline to the Gladstone Area Water Board (GAWB) network at Mount Miller – a huge achievement that brings GAWB one step closer to securing long-term water reliability for the Gladstone community. Since construction commenced, more than 110km of the 117km pipeline has been installed with GAWB expecting the remaining pipe to be installed by mid-2025 and it is anticipated that the FGP will be operational by 2026, weather and site conditions permitting.
While GAWB is still some time away from reaping the benefits of water flowing from the Fitzroy River to its customers, this connection will enable the integrity of the new pipeline infrastructure to be tested using water from Awoonga Dam before full system integration is completed – which means issues can be identified and rectified prior to the facilities going live.
As with any infrastructure project of this size, months of planning were undertaken to ensure potential impacts to existing GAWB customers were minimised. Around 80 per cent of water supplied to Gladstone is for industrial use. Without this planning, three major industrial water users with 24/7 operations and significant water demands would have potentially been impacted by the FGP connection. Any disruptions to their supply could have substantial economic and operational consequences.
To address this risk, the GAWB network team and the FGP team engaged extensively with stakeholders to understand their operational needs and implement a solution that maintained uninterrupted water supply during the connection works. This collaboration led to the construction of a temporary bypass system, which allowed for continued water delivery while the permanent connection was constructed.
Following successful connection and testing, the bypass system facilitated seamless water supply to industrial customers for more than two weeks. Once the permanent connection was established, the temporary infrastructure was decommissioned and removed with supply being reinstated from the now modified main line.
Upon completion, the 117km pipeline will run from the Lower Fitzroy River in Rockhampton and connect to GAWB’s existing water network at Yarwun.
The pipeline comprises:
- An intake structure at Laurel Bank to collect water from the Fitzroy River
- A water treatment plant, pump station and reservoir at Alton Downs
- Two 50ML reservoirs at Aldoga to store water before it connects to GAWB’s existing network at Yarwun
Once water begins to flow, the pipeline will have the capacity to transport 30GL per annum from the Fitzroy River to Gladstone. The pipeline’s design enables it to be retrofitted with additional infrastructure if bi-directional flow is need in the future.
Not just a pretty pipeline
The FGP is not just about water security – it also has substantial economic and social benefits. Delivered by the McConnell Dowell BMD Group Joint Venture (MBJV), the project has prioritised local engagement and investment, resulting in significant contributions to central Queensland’s economy.
Local spending
The project set a local spend target of $90 million within the Gladstone and Rockhampton regions. As of the end of October 2024, this target was exceeded, with $123 million spent locally and an additional $167 million invested across Queensland.
Job creation
At the peak of construction, the project created more than 400 jobs, including apprenticeships and traineeships. This investment in workforce development enhances the region’s skill base and supports long-term employment opportunities.
Community benefits
The project set a First Nations Australians workforce target of 10,000 hours. As of the end of October 2024, this target was exceeded, with more than 44,000 hours worked by First Nations Australians.
Queensland Minister for Local Government and Water and Minister for Fire, Disaster Recovery and Volunteers, Ann Leahy, said industry in Gladstone generates $6 billion in gross regional product every year and these activities depend on significant quantities of water now and into the future.
“Our regions are the economic powerhouses of Queensland’s economy. We know that this project and the many economic benefits it creates are important to the people and businesses that call the Gladstone region home. The State Government is committed to valuing and acknowledging the vital role regional Queensland plays in shaping our state and ensuring it remains integral to Queensland’s future,” Ms Leahy said.
“The FGP will enable Gladstone to tap into its water allocation from the Fitzroy River, ensuring the provision of safe, reliable water services and job security, that will improve the liveability of the region.”
Gladstone Area Water Board CEO, Darren Barlow, stated how the investment in the project highlights the region’s significance to the state’s economy.
“The FGP is crucial for securing water for Gladstone’s industries, supporting the Queensland economy, and creating jobs,” Mr Barlow said.
“Water security has long been a critical issue for Gladstone, given its reliance on the single-source supply from Awoonga Dam.”
“MBJV has worked hard to engage with and employ local suppliers. Their commitment to supporting local businesses has, and continues to, deliver real benefits to the Central Queensland region, including job opportunities, supply contracts, and the growth of local capabilities.”
Kicking concrete goals
Alongside the connecting of the pipeline to the GAWB network, the FGP team have achieved several other significant milestones.
A total of 580m3 of concrete has been poured at the Alton Downs Water Treatment Plant on Ridgelands Road.
This milestone involved:
- 14 truckloads of concrete
- 110 local workers
- 14 hours of pouring throughout the cooler night hours to ensure the concrete didn’t set too quickly
Once complete, the water treatment plant will play a critical role in ensuring the supply of safe, high-quality water for both residential and industrial use.
The FGP team has also commenced the construction of two water storage reservoirs at Aldoga.
MBJV coordinated the pouring of a whopping 3000m3 of concrete to form these bases, which involved:
- More than 200 truckloads of concrete
- 20 local workers
- Two batching plants located in Gladstone and Calliope
- Four 12-hour pours throughout the cooler night hours to ensure the concrete didn’t set too quickly
The FGP team are now focusing on constructing and placing concrete panels to form the walls for these reservoirs, which are being fabricated on-site.
Once constructed, each reservoir will be 76m in diameter (wider than the wingspan of a Boeing 737), 12m high (equal to the height of a three-story building) and will have the capacity to store 50ML of water. Combined, the reservoirs will hold a maximum of 100ML (equal to 20 Olympic sized swimming pools).
“Successfully completing the pouring of the two bases for these enormous water storage reservoirs was a mammoth task. Being able to mobilise local batching plants and workers is something we pride ourselves on,” Mr Barlow said.
“I am delighted the FGP has exceeded its local spend target. GAWB and MBJV have spent considerable time and effort engaging with businesses, suppliers and sub-contractors in the Gladstone region to achieve this success.
“In mid-September 2024, our Chief Operating Officer – FGP, Hugh Barbour, presented at the Capricorn Enterprise Major Projects Forum in Rockhampton.
“In October, he presented at the Gladstone Engineering Alliance Major Industry, Energy and Manufacturing Conference in Gladstone to provide an update on the FGP and to outline future opportunities to work with GAWB. And in 2025, we will continue this advocacy.
“But we are not resting on our laurels and will continue to engage with the communities in which we operate as we progress the project.
Mr Barlow said that 2024 has been an incredibly busy yet rewarding year for both GAWB and the MBJV.
“We’ve made solid progress and I’m really proud of the team,” he said.
The FGP is expected to be operational in 2026, weather and site conditions permitting. Once constructed, the FGP and associated infrastructure will be owned and managed by GAWB.
