Queensland Government locks in $1 Billion Fitzroy to Gladstone pipeline
Posted on February 28th, 2023
- Nearly $1 billion locked in for Fitzroy to Gladstone pipeline project.
- Create 400 local jobs during construction.
- Construction expected to be complete in 2026
- Locks in water security for existing industries
- Unlocks jobs in renewable hydrogen and manufacturing
The Queensland Government has officially approved the $983 million Fitzroy to Gladstone pipeline for construction.
The Fitzroy to Gladstone Pipeline will deliver water security to the Gladstone region – needed to support more job creating industries.
Right now, industry in Gladstone generates $6 billion in gross regional product every year and these activities depend on significant quantities of water now and into the future.
Hydrogen proponents under development with future water requirements include the Fortescue Future Industries hydrogen electrolyser manufacturing facility, Mitsubishi Gas’s proposal for a hydrogen to green methanol plant, the Stanwell / Iwatani Central Queensland Hydrogen Project, Orica and H2U’s proposed green ammonia plant and Rio Tinto and Sumitomo’s proposed hydrogen plant.
The infrastructure approval also aligns with recommendations made in the Bradfield Report, commissioned by the Queensland Government and prepared by the expert Bradfield Regional Assessment and Development Panel.
Gladstone Area Water Board was appointed by the State Government in August 2021 to deliver pre-construction activities for the pipeline, which included undertaking procurement activities, addressing land access arrangements and determining long lead time items to ensure construction readiness for the pipeline.
Works are underway and the expected project completion is late 2026.
Further information:
A Detailed Business Case and assessment, led by the Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water recommended a 117-kilometre pipeline with capacity to transfer 30 gigalitres of water per annum (GL/a) from the Lower Fitzroy River to Gladstone.
More than 25 apprenticeships and traineeships will be provided through the project, as well as more than 10,000 hours of training.
The project anticipates spending approximately $10 million with suppliers and businesses owned by First Nations Australians, in addition to 10,000 hours for workforce participation.
