$175 million dollars’ worth of major water and sewerage projects are currently underway in Brisbane, including a new trunk sewer main, two new cross-river pipelines, and an upgrade to the city’s oldest and largest sewer pipe.
Queensland Urban Utilities spokesperson Sally Prosser said the projects span the city and cater for hundreds of jobs.
“We’ve always got major capital works underway, but this is the most construction we’ve seen at once in our organisation’s history,” Ms Prosser said.
“Across three major projects, more than 4.2km of new water pipe is being laid and more than 6.8km of new sewers, building on our existing network of more than 18,000km of pipe.
“A fourth project involves relining 5.7km of Brisbane’s S1 Main Sewer, which is 100 years old and buried eight storeys under busy Kingsford Smith Drive.
“These works increase the resilience and reliability of our water and sewerage network and ensure we’re catering for South East Queensland’s growing population.”
The four major projects include:
- Constructing a new water pipe under the Brisbane River from Murrarie to Pinkenba
- Tunnelling under the Brisbane River from Kenmore to Jindalee to pave the way for new water and sewer pipelines
- Building a new trunk sewer pipe from Mansfield to Carindale, including a 48m deep access shaft for the tunnel borer
- Relining Brisbane’s oldest and largest sewer pipe, the S1 Main Sewer
Queensland Urban Utilities plans 30 years into the future to ensure the right infrastructure goes in the ground at the right time.
Ms Prosser said water and sewerage is an essential service that more than 1.4 million people rely on every day.
“With all the cranes across the city, it’s easy to see the skyline changing right before your eyes. That’s not the case for the water and sewerage network,” Ms Prosser said.
“It’s a hidden service, but as projects like these demonstrate, a lot goes on behind the scenes to deliver fresh, clean drinking water to your tap and allow you to flush and forget.”
