Construction of the National Water Grid Cairns Water Security Stage 1 project is making major progress.
Works completed on the Queensland project include:
- installation of 30 kilometres of new pipeline, with final connections and testing underway
- construction of the ultraviolet (UV) treatment building
- roof installation and external works on new storage reservoirs
- finalisation of the 3-story administration building.
Work is underway on site to prepare the water treatment plant for testing. Testing the infrastructure ensures the highest quality water will be provided to the region. This phase of the project is called commissioning.
Regional benefits
The project is expected to deliver an additional 6.4 gigalitres, or 6.4 billion litres, of water each year. That is enough water to fill 640,000 typical household water tanks annually.
The project has also provided a significant boost to the local economy:
- employing more than 1,340 people, including 78% local workers
- investing more than $144 million with local businesses and suppliers.
Funding
The Australian and Queensland governments are each providing $195 million to the project. The balance of funding is being provided by Cairns Regional Council. Australian Government funding is provided through the National Water Grid Fund.
The project is on track for completion by mid-2027, weather permitting.
