Finding appropriate water storage is also essential for any community facing extreme weather systems in Queensland’s north. As flooding along the coastline has revealed in recent years, having a well-protected water supply is essential for providing vital resources in the aftermath of a storm.
To address these challenges, the Townsville City Council has recently announced the construction of a new reservoir to meet the city’s growing water needs.
The 22.5 mega litre steel reservoir is currently planned to sit alongside two others already constructed at Mount Louisa in the city’s west. This new facility will join 33 other water reservoirs around the city, with a combined storage capacity of 273 mega litres.
Foundations for this new reservoir will be laid later this year, with construction scheduled to be completed in the middle of 2015.
This is just one of the projects completed in the aftermath of cyclone Yasi, which severely reduced the availability of water in the city. Since then, a new facility has been constructed at Mt Low, along with a further reservoir at the Douglas Water treatment plant.
Townsville is also seeing an increased investment in its water system, with greater funding heading into the inner city’s pipe network over the next few years.
Water and Waste Committee Chair Ray Gartrell suggested that this project and others like it would be essential for ensuring the future growth of Townsville.
“This additional 22.5 mega litre reservoir means we are well positioned to support the continued growth we are seeing,” said Mr Gartrell.
“Increasing water storage is crucial for any growing community and in Townsville we have some of the fastest growing suburbs in the state.”
Anyone seeking an apprenticeship in Townsville will likely benefit from this new project and others like it. Skills like welding will be in high demand, given the choice of steel as a construction material.
As this project and similar developments continue to improve the storm resilience of northern communities, there will likely be further opportunities for apprentices looking to start a new career.
By Leanne de Toerkenczy, Public Relations Coordinator
