The South West Pipeline is the second stage of the Beaudesert Water Supply Upgrade, a long-term water supply solution for the Scenic Rim.

Minister for Water Glenn Butcher said the pipeline which was being built would connect Beaudesert to the SEQ Water Grid to support population growth and economic development in the area.

“The Scenic Rim is experiencing a period of significant growth, with more than 67,000 people expected to call this community home by 2041,” Mr Butcher said.

“The area has also become a regional hub for large-scale freight and transport operations, thanks to the Bromelton State Development Area.

“Connecting Beaudesert to the SEQ Water Grid will shore up local water security for years to come, giving confidence to households and businesses that they can continue to grow and prosper in this wonderful part of the South East.”

The $95 million, 27 km pipeline will connect two recently-built reservoirs at the existing Beaudesert Water Treatment Plant to the SEQ Water Grid, with work to be completed in late 2022.

Seqwater Chief Executive Officer Neil Brennan said the pipeline will be the biggest addition to the SEQ Water Grid since completion of the Northern Pipeline Interconnector in 2012 to connect water supplies between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.  

“Connecting Beaudesert to the SEQ Water Grid will ensure a reliable long-term water supply for the Scenic Rim by making it easier to move water into the region when needed,” Mr Brennan said.

“The way the SEQ Water Grid connects drinking water supplies across our region is a unique system in Australia. It provides us with more options to manage water supply challenges arising from sporadic rainfall, drought, climate change and population growth.

“We are continuing to invest in water infrastructure projects to ensure our region has a secure and adaptable water supply, now and for future generations.”

The design and construction tender for the pipeline was awarded to Comdain (part of the Service Stream Group), a national leader in delivering critical gas and water services.

The project team have now commenced laying pipeline in a staged approach along the alignment.

For more information about the Beaudesert Water Supply Upgrade visit www.seqwater.com.au/project/beaudesert-water-supply-upgrade   

The pipeline is the second stage of the Beaudesert Water Supply Upgrade, the long-term water supply solution for the Scenic Rim, supporting continued population and economic growth.

The bulk water pipeline includes a three-kilometre section which will connect the Flagstone development area and the SEQ Water Grid pipeline network.  A further 24-kilometre bulk water pipeline will be constructed to deliver water to the recently completed Helen St Storage Reservoirs in Beaudesert.

The new pipeline will be predominantly within existing rural road reserve and is not expected to significantly impact on farms or businesses along the proposed alignment.

Early investigative works will commence this month to provide our designers with additional information for the pipeline design.

Construction of the pipeline is on track for commencement from mid - 2021.

Early works

Comdain has commenced early works for the pipeline. These early investigative works include geotechnical borehole drilling, service location and potholing.  Early investigative works may also include aerial and ground surveying. Comdain started early investigative work at the most northerly point of the pipeline and are working south  over a number of weeks.

The early works are expected to by completed by May, subject to weather and other unforseen circumstances. Comdain's work hours are from 7am until 5pm, Monday to Friday. 

The South West Pipeline will run from Bushman Drive in the North to Beaudesert in the South.  It will be contained within the road reserves of Bushland Road, Dennis Road, Cedar Grove Road, Cedar Pocket Road, Undullah Road, Brooklands Road, Allan Creek Road, Bromelton House Road and road reserves east of the South Logan River crossing.

Who is Comdain?

On 19 March 2021, Seqwater announced Comdain Infrastructure as the successful design and construction contractor for the South West Pipeline. Comdain is a national leader in delivering critical gas and water services. Comdain are Australian owned and were established in 1962. 

Over the next 18 months, Comdain and Seqwater (The Project Team) will be working together to design and construct the pipeline. The Project Team are committed to engaging with the community throughout this process. 

Comdain will work directly with any impacted stakeholders, and adjacent neighbours may receive direct work notifications from time to time regarding construction impacts.

Who is Seqwater?

Seqwater is the Queensland Government Bulk Water Supply Authority. We are responsible for delivering safe, secure and cost-effective bulk water supply for more than three million people across South East Queensland. We also:

• provide essential flood mitigation services
• manage catchment health and offer community recreation facilities
• provide water for irrigation to about 1,200 farmers across seven water supply schemes.

Seqwater is one of the largest water business with the most geographically spread and diverse asset base of any capital city water authority. Our operations extend from the New South Wales border to the base of the Toowoomba ranges.

Seqwater will be sending regular e-updates throughout the project to keep you up-to-date. If you know someone who might be interested in this project, encourage them to subscribe by clicking the 'Subscribe here' button below. 

For more information

• seqwater.com.au/project/beaudesert-water-supply-upgrade
• [email protected]

The major water pipeline project to connect Beaudesert to the SEQ Water Grid is on track to start this year, creating up to 100 construction jobs.

Seqwater recently appointed Comdain Infrastructure to design and construct the 27-kilometre South West Pipeline which will take up to 18 months to complete.

Seqwater Chief Executive Officer, Neil Brennan, said the $95 million project was on track and construction would begin in mid-2021.

“Almost 90% of the jobs for the construction of the pipeline will be taken up by local tradespeople, while the remainder will go to workers from Queensland and other states,” Mr Brennan said.

“The pipeline is the second stage of the Beaudesert Water Supply Upgrade, the long-term water supply solution for the Scenic Rim, supporting continued population and economic growth.”

Mr Brennan said connecting Beaudesert to the SEQ Water Grid will make it easier to move water into the growing region when needed.

“The existing Beaudesert Water Treatment Plant was built to serve a small town at the centre of a farming and grazing community.

“Since then, the population of Beaudesert has grown, and the town has transformed into a significant regional hub.”

The bulk water pipeline includes a three-kilometre section which will connect the site to the Flagstone development area and the SEQ Water Grid pipeline network.

A further 24-kilometre bulk water pipeline will be constructed to deliver water to the recently completed Helen St Storage Reservoirs in Beaudesert.

The new pipeline will be predominantly within an existing rural road reserve and is not expected to significantly impact on farms or businesses along the proposed alignment.

For more information, visit www.seqwater.com.au/project/beaudesert-water-supply-upgrade

In the next few months you can expect:

• Contractors undertaking site inspections and additional investigations
• Engagement with adjacent property owners about anticipated impacts.

Most of the South West Pipeline will be built in State or Local Government road reserves. It will also pass through land owned by either Seqwater or state government agencies. Seqwater has already consulted the small number of affected property owners. 

View the South West Pipeline alignment map.

Want to be kept informed about the project? Subscribe to receive email updates at the button below.

“This pipeline will connect Beaudesert to the rest of the SEQ water grid’s dams and water storages, which will provide local householders and businesses with a more secure water supply into the future,” he said.

“Importantly, water security will give potential new business and industry confidence that they can grow their businesses in the area and create jobs – particularly in the Bromelton state development area.”

The $95 million, 27 km pipeline will connect the two recently-built reservoirs at the existing Beaudesert water treatment plant - and to the SEQ water grid – by 2022.

Dr Lynham said once connected to the pipeline, the local community would have access to up to about 10 megalitres daily – more than double what was currently available.

“This is fantastic news for the local community who can have confidence that major infrastructure projects are being delivered to improve water security for our communities,” he said.

Pipeline tenders will be shortlisted next month, with a design and construction tender awarded later this year.

Construction will start in 2021.

Seqwater Chief Executive Officer Neil Brennan said the new reservoirs at Beaudesert provided further water storage and security in the interim until the pipeline was completed and connected.

“The new reservoirs are expected to be fully operational by the middle of the year, providing more than 5 million litres of storage capacity,” he said.

“They will provide about 10 times more storage capacity at the plant to further bolster Beaudesert’s water supply.

“Connecting the Scenic Rim to the Grid will safeguard the region’s water security for the next 30 years.

“The new pipeline will be predominantly within an existing rural road reserve and is not expected to impact on farms or businesses along the proposed alignment.”

The last new community to join the water grid was more than 100,000 Moreton Bay residents and businesses, who joined up two years ago via a pipeline to the Boundary Road Reservoir.

This is the first stage of the Beaudesert Water Supply Upgrade and will improve the reliability of water supply in Beaudesert. The reservoirs will store treated drinking water which can be used during high demand periods, maintenance work or other network shortages.

The new storage reservoirs will be connected to the SEQ Water Grid in 2021. Long term water supply reliability will support the continued growth of the region.

Key facts:

• Each reservoir will be roughly 8.5m high and 26m across
• Total treated drinking water storage of 5.1ML (million liters)
• Construction expected to be completed early 2020.

What to expect:

During the construction period residents should expect:

• Increased traffic, including trucks, on local roads
• Most traffic will access Helen Street via Short Street (near the council building) / from the northern end (near the intersection with the Beaudesert Bypass)
• Construction work between the hours of 7am and 5pm on weekdays and between 7.30am and 2pm on Saturdays when required
• Minor disturbances associated with construction work, such as noise and dust
• No changes to Seqwater operations at the Beaudesert Water Treatment Plant. Your water supply will not be affected by these works
• Construction is expected to be completed early 2020.

More about the Beaudesert Water Supply Upgrade:

As the population and economy of Beaudesert grows, the demand for services like water grows with it. Without upgrades to the Beaudesert water supply, we will no longer be able to meet peak demand for water by 2021.

The Beaudesert Water Supply Upgrade includes three stages:

1. Upgrades to the Beaudesert Water Treatment Plant, including 5.1 ML of additional water storage.
2. The South West Pipeline, a 27 km bulk water pipeline connecting Beaudesert to the SEQ Water Grid.
3. The first stage of a new Wyaralong Water Treatment Plant adjacent to the Cedar Grove Weir.

For more information:

For more information or to provide your feedback:

• call 1300 SEQWATER (1300 737 928)
• email [email protected]
• Non-English speakers call 131 450 and ask for Seqwater on 07 3035 5500.
• If you have a hearing or speech impairment contact us through the National Relay Service and give the number 07 3035 5500. Visit www.relayservice.gov.au for more information.

This upgrade to storage at the Beaudesert Water Treatment Plant addresses the immediate water supply needs of the Beaudesert area. Stored water can be used to supplement supply to Beaudesert during maintenance works, peak demand and other network shortages, improving the reliability of water supply for the Scenic Rim region. In the longer term, the new storage reservoirs will be connected to the new water treatment plant at Cedar Grove Weir and the SEQ Water Grid.

Treatment process upgrades

Works are already underway at the Beaudesert Water Treatment Plant to upgrade its treatment processes and improve reliability. 

Heavy rainfall and flood events cause agricultural pollutants and other run off to enter the Logan River, resulting in the Beaudesert Water Treatment Plant sometimes shutting down as it cannot effectively treat the river water. 

Immediate works are being undertaken to boost the resilience of the Beaudesert Water Treatment Plant to poor water quality. We are installing additional filters and treatment processes at the plant to allow it to treat river water after heavy rainfall events. 

The South West Pipeline will be the biggest addition to the SEQ Water Grid since completion of the Northern Pipeline Interconnector in 2012. A 24km bulk water pipeline will connect the Beaudesert Water Treatment Plant storage reservoirs to the new Wyaralong Water Treatment Plant. An additional 3km bulk water pipeline will connect the Wyaralong Water Treatment Plant to the Flagstone development area and the SEQ Water Grid pipeline network.

Planning for the South West Pipeline is currently underway. Pending completion of the design and project approvals, we expect to start construction in 2021. We will also build a new pump station and storage reservoir at the site of the new Wyaralong Water Treatment Plant at the same time as the pipeline. The pumps will help move treated drinking water between Beaudesert and the SEQ Water Grid.

Connecting Beaudesert to the water grid will ensure we can continue to provide a safe, secure water supply to the Scenic Rim. Long term water reliability for the Scenic Rim will support ongoing economic development and population growth in the region.

Find out more about the SEQ Water Grid here.