Water project part of hot Townsville trifecta for civil sector

“By Townsville” is the team motto for the Haughton Pipeline Duplication project at Premise, the engineering company appointed as project managers for the scheme. The $215 million water security initiative is one of three major projects heading a significant upswing in public investment in the Townsville region, which is fuelling increased private sector investment as well, according to Premise executive director Patrick Brady (pictured). It will see a 35km pipeline developed to carry an extra 234ML of raw water per day from the Burdekin Haughton Water Supply Scheme to top up the city’s supply in the Ross River Dam. Mr Brady said the project would sustain a significant number of jobs during the two-year construction effort. “Our team’s aim is to ensure that local Townsville suppliers and contractors get the maximum opportunity to become involved in all aspects of the project, from manufacturing steelwork to laying pipe, from preparing drawings to the supply of fuel,” he said. “Our team motto for the project is ‘By Townsville’, a play on words that, while encouraging purchasing locally, also will prove that Townsville businesses have the skills and capacity to deliver projects of this size.” Premise’s role entails planning, coordination and reporting of all aspects of the pipeline design and construction. Mr Brady said Premise would work closely with GHD and SMEC – who have the final design and engineering contracts - as well as Townsville City Council’s project team to ensure that a quality pipeline is delivered on time and within budget. Mr Brady is project director and a member of the project leadership team, while former Townsville City Council director of infrastructure Dawson Wilkie will act as project manager. While Premise will assist in preparation of documents, specifications and other elements necessary for tendering, council will undertake all procurement on the project. “Businesses interested in being involved on the project should check council’s website and local papers regularly, as Expressions of Interest will be advertised publicly,” Mr Brady said. Mr Brady lists the Haughton Pipeline Duplication, the North Queensland Stadium, and the soon-to-be commenced Bruce Highway Haughton Floodplain Upgrade as key projects powering a significant upswing in public investment in the city after a period of economic downturn. “This in turn is beginning to drive investment in the private sector, with investments in retail centres, tourism facilities, hospitals and residential development all showing signs of increasing in coming years,” he said. “Add to that an upswing in the resources and energy sectors, and the demand in the civil engineering sector is set to enjoy a healthy period of work prospects." Mr Brady names the North Queensland Stadium as the project likely to have the biggest local impact in the near-term, but is also hoping to see a great ‘nation building’ project gain the green light in the region. “The cranes emerging now on the stadium site, that will be visible from the CBD by every potential investor that visits, are vital indicators of a city that has confidence and a will to deliver,” he said. “However, long-term I believe that a significant nation-building project will show the rest of Australia, and the world, that North Queensland is a great place to invest. “Whether that is a new dam at Hells Gate, or raising the Burdekin Dam wall, or an expanded Koombooloomba Dam system, all with significant hydro-electricity prospects, our future is our proximity to Asia and our great port that can export our produce and raw materials to growing populations immediately to our north.” More about Premise Premise was formed after a merger of Townsville-based engineering group UDP and Brisbane-based O2, which had a focus on water infrastructure. The company now employs more than 140 staff, with 10 offices in three countries. Current projects include a 50,000-head feedlot project in Sudan, a sewerage reticulation system for the township of Lorengau in PNG, and the development of 15,000 residential lots at Elliot Springs outside Townsville. Premise is also working on the Hells Gate Dam feasibility study and is delivering a recreational lake at Hughenden. “Premise has plans to expand its services to other areas of Australia, and internationally to other new countries,” executive director Patrick Brady said. “It is proof that a business with its origins in a Walker St back office can develop into a successful international business, servicing its clients in the same way, and providing its employees exciting work opportunities in places all around the world.”

Water project part of hot Townsville trifecta for civil sector

Industry Queensland

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