1. Townsville Water Infrastructure Securing the Foundations of Prosperity
Cleveland Bay Wastewater Treatment Facility
Townsville Water Infrastructure Securing the Foundations of Prosperity

2. History
Approximately every years the city requires a major water source upgrade
Townsville Water Authority 1882
Gleeson's Weir 1908
Black Weir 1930s s (Sever restrictions in the 1930s)
Paluma Dam – 1957
Ross River Dam 1974 – Flood protection
Emergency supply – Haughton pipeline 1988
Major upgrade of treatment plants
Now – Haughton pipeline
Gleeson's Weir repairs – circa 2011

3. Recent history
Townsville actively encourages improvement of the amenity and social infrastructure
Water no longer just for drinking and public health
Now linked to amenity and prosperity and industry
Industry requiring water and people willing to live and invest in Townsville
Along the way - Water got separated from
the community expectations and planning –
No easy fix to meet expectations
Mount St Johns Treatment Plant

4. Current
Townsville is facing water supply challenges as a result of the drought
The planning now shows that another secure source as:
The Ross River dam source supplemented by the Burdekin does not provide security
For a secure source we now need a Burdekin supply supplemented by Ross River Dam, requiring a secure pipeline and pump station (Subtle but very important change) (Refer earlier presentation by Tom V)
And our communities expectations are not aligned
with how we deliver water services
Ross River Dam – circa 2011

5. New Way
Water infrastructure is seen as important infrastructure by TCC to provide:
Public Health
Clean drinking water and sanitation
Amenity and Sustainability
A great place to live
Prosperity
Security of water to enable investment and growth – A great place to invest
To do this we need to incorporate water and
sanitation into ALL planning.
Engage and be part of the community
Look at innovative ways to support
economic activity and development
Townsville Recreational Boating Park – Credit: Overall Photography

6. Leading to a well planned future
The first Steps:
Townsville leads the way with city deals incorporating water as a major component
Independent Taskforce - bringing all parties to the table to agree on the problem and the infrastructure required for Townsville's prosperity – A Short, medium and long term plan
Committing to infrastructure - giving surety and stability to stimulate investment
Ensuring water and wastewater infrastructure supports other community infrastructure and economic developments
Taskforce members

7. water services that provide Health, Amenity and Prosperity
What will we achieve
By linking water to planning, engaging and joining all governments, stakeholders and the community we will achieve
A long term plan of the City that incorporates water infrastructure. Water is seen as the backbone not the blocker
A engaged community that works alongside the council to provide appropriate and affordable water and sanitation
Flexible and focused solutions that encourage development and investment.
The outcome...
water services that provide
Health, Amenity and Prosperity