$300m Toowoomba to Warwick Pipeline project gears up for construction

Pre-construction works on the $300 million Toowoomba to Warwick Pipeline (T2W) project are set to begin before Christmas as promised. 

The Queensland Government also welcomes the support from the Toowoomba Regional and Southern Downs Regional Councils towards this significant infrastructure project. 

“We’re thrilled that Toowoomba and Southern Downs have supported this project and – subject to some final negotiations – we are now in a position to meet our commitment to get this project underway and on track for scheduled completion by the end of 2026. 

“Construction of this pipeline is critical to providing improved water security for the residents of Southern Downs Regional Council as well as delivering approximately 420 jobs to the Toowoomba and Southern Downs communities during construction,” Minister for Water Glenn Butcher said. 

According to Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor Paul Antonio, the Council has discussed the proposed pipeline and its implications, resulting in their vote for support for the project. The Council is also confident in the benefits that the project will bring to Toowoomba communities while helping the neighbouring communities in the Southern Downs region. 

“Having certainty of water supply gives the community confidence, as well as small business and industry that rely on councils’ reticulated supplies. This is good news for future economic growth of the region’s communities and provides a pathway to prosperity. 

“There has been a considerable amount of work which has taken place to get us to this point and cooperation between the State Government, Southern Downs Regional Council and Toowoomba Regional Council,” Cr Antonio said. 

Pipeline route (source: Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water)

Southern Downs Regional Council Mayor Vic Pennisi said that significant benefits will be delivered to Southern Downs communities through this project, thanks to the collaboration between two levels of government. 

“We welcome this drought-resilience measure. When the town of Warwick almost ran out of water, in 2020, it was a stark reminder that the weather is unpredictable and we need to protect ourselves against potential disaster as much as possible. 

“We are most grateful for the continued support from the Queensland Government and our neighbours Toowoomba Regional Council and look forward to ongoing collaboration to see this drought-resilience project come to fruition,” the Mayor said. 

The Toowoomba to Warwick Pipeline will carry raw water from Wivenhoe Dam, connecting with Toowoomba Regional Council’s existing water infrastructure to deliver water to Warwick. The pipeline will also present an opportunity to deliver treated water to the Cambooya, Greenmount, Nobby and Clifton satellite communities. 

In addition, the pipeline will provide drought contingency for all residents of Southern Downs Regional Council. 

Detailed designs have been completed by Seqwater, who will also continue working with stakeholders in preparing for the beginning of the pre-construction phase of the project, which includes discussion with landowners. 

“It’s hoped that the pre-construction phase can commence within the next few months, with a tentative construction and commissioning completion date of end-2026. 

“Public consultation in February 2022 has shown support for the pipeline, but we needed to work through those final affordability and water security concerns with councils,” Minister Butcher said. 

Previously, the Queensland Government announced $19.3 million in funding for the Southern Downs Drought Resilience Package which was designed to help boost local water availability as well as improve the region’s drought resilience. The package includes measures such as the installation of new pumps at Leslie Dam to allow access to previously ‘dead water’ or water below the level that existing pumps could access along with investigative works into the Toowoomba to Warwick Pipeline project, commissioning of groundwater bores, and upgrades to water treatment systems. 

Source: Queensland Government – Media Statements; Queensland Government – Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water