Urban Utilities will install a bypass pipeline across the bed of the Brisbane River as part of a major project to renew one of our city’s most important but hidden pieces of infrastructure – the Bulimba-Hamilton Siphon.
The siphon, which stretches under the river from Bulimba to Hamilton and consists of two large wastewater pipes inside a tunnel, must be taken offline for essential works to replace both pipes.
Urban Utilities CEO Paul Arnold said the temporary bypass pipeline was being installed so wastewater could continue to be transported across the river while the siphon is not in operation.
“The works to construct the one-kilometre temporary bypass pipeline will begin on the river next week and take around three months to complete,” he said. “It will be a complex job, with the pipe installed from a barge which will start near the Bretts Wharf Ferry Terminal at Hamilton and slowly move diagonally across the river to Bulimba. The pipe sections will be welded together on the barge and gradually lowered onto the river bed and secured in place with heavy concrete blocks.”
Planning for the temporary bypass pipeline was part of the contingency planning for the project in 2023.
Mr Arnold said they would work to minimise impacts on the community during the works, and the river would remain open with no major disruptions to ferry services anticipated.
“There will be reductions in speed limits in the area, and river users should look out for navigational buoys around the barge, which will indicate what side river traffic should pass on,” he said. “Once the temporary bypass pipeline is operational in early 2025, we will take the siphon offline to safely assess and repair a break in one of the pipes and continue to replace the other pipe. There will be no impact on wastewater services for our customers, and we thank the community for their understanding as we carry out this once-in-a-generation renewal of the siphon.”
Urban Utilities has been working closely with Brisbane City Council, RiverCity Ferries, and Maritime Safety Queensland and providing updates to recreational river users and local residents.
Community members can subscribe to receive SMS or email updates from Urban Utilities about the project here.
Related Articles:
- Millions pumped into Perth water supply reliability
- Keeping former wetlands dry to build vital wastewater infrastructure
- Capturing PFAS chemicals for better battery technology