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Councilconnection
MARCH 2012 - ISSUE 42
GLADSTONE REGIONAL COUNCIL COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER
harbour city
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Gladstone Regional Council Phone 497 0 0700 Fax 4975 8500 Email info@gladstonerc.qld.gov.au
Under-harbour pipeline brings services to island
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The distance of the harbour crossing is at the upper end of the capacity of any horizontal direction drill technology world-wide
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Mayor Sellers
An ambitious $100 million project will result in water and sewer services provided to the proponents of the four liquefied natural gas plants (LNG) being constructed on Curtis Island. A joint initiative of Gladstone Regional Council and the Gladstone Area Water Board (GAWB), the Curtis Island Water and Sewerage Infrastructure Project involves the construction of three pipelines, each of 14km in length that cross the harbour under the harbour bed to a depth of 70 metres below water level. Horizontal directional drilling (HDD) is being used to construct the 2.1km crossing of the Gladstone Harbour section from RG Tanna Coal Terminal at Gladstone Marina to Hamilton Point on the south end of Curtis Island. When completed, the pipeline project will supply potable water to the LNG proponents on the island and return their sewerage to Council’s existing sewerage treatment plant on the mainland. Included in the scope of works are a booster pump station for water supply on Curtis Island and a standby sewerage pressure main. There is sloping, harsh terrain to contend with from Hamilton Point to the furthest of the four LNG sites on Curtis Island. The project is being fully funded by Curtis Island LNG proponents.
Mayor Gail Sellers said work on the project had begun in October 2011 and a significant milestone was reached on December 20 last year when contractor Coe Drilling completed the “intersect” for the first pilot hole of the crossing. “This project has several ‘firsts’ for Australia and the 2.1km harbour crossing has posed many challenges for us, GAWB and the contractors so far,” Councillor Sellers said.
“The distance of the harbour crossing is at the upper end of the capacity of any horizontal direction drill (HDD) technology world-wide, so to achieve success with the first pilot hole is a significant milestone for Council and GAWB. “I also understand that it is uncommon to drill in tandem over this distance from both sides, so this is a major achievement for all involved. “Additionally, the contractors are using newer steering technology from Europe that utilises an optical gyro system which is another first for Australia.” The Mayor said the project comprised three stages, including the construction of the pilot hole for the HDD; installation and testing of the water and sewerage pipelines; and construction of a second pilot hole, installation of a water pipeline and conversion of the first water pipeline into a sewerage pipeline.
Gladstone Entertainment Centre hosts the Queensland Heavyweight Title Saturday March 17, 6pm. Book online or at the Box Office. FULL STORY Page 4
MARCH2012 IN THIS ISSUE
3
Development figures high
5
Glenlyon Road Planning
6
New playgrounds for Wyndham Park
7
SafeST foothpaths program
Visit Council’s Website - www.gladstone.qld.gov.au
9
Queensland Coastal Plan