Construction is complete on the Mount Morgan Water Supply Pipeline, with final testing and commissioning now underway on infrastructure designed to permanently address one of Central Queensland’s most persistent water security challenges.
The $88.2 million project is expected to begin supplying treated drinking water in early 2026, ending Mount Morgan’s reliance on emergency measures after three consecutive years of Level 6 water restrictions between 2021 and 2024.
Once operational, the pipeline will connect Mount Morgan to Rockhampton’s Fitzroy Barrage system, delivering a climate-resilient supply drawn from the Athelstane Reservoirs. Water will flow via the Lucas Street reservoirs at Gracemere, be boosted at the Moonmerra pump station, and stored at the Mount Morgan South Reservoir before distribution to the town.
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Federal Minister for the Environment and Water Murray Watt said the project represented a long-term turning point for the community.
“This project will deliver a meaningful lifeline for the community of Mount Morgan for generations to come, helping the town to thrive,” Watt said. “After more than two and a half years relying on water carting and facing costly, unreliable supply, local communities will soon have access to safe, permanent drinking water at the turn of the tap.”
The pipeline includes 28 kilometres of potable water main, multiple new pump stations, two 3.65-megalitre reservoirs at Gracemere, and a 500-kilolitre storage facility at Moonmerra. Together, the assets form a fully integrated transfer system designed to meet both current demand and future growth.
Queensland Minister for Local Government and Water Ann Leahy said the project demonstrated the value of coordinated infrastructure investment.
“Long-term water security is vital to Queenslanders, no matter where they live across our state,” Leahy said. “This pipeline delivers affordable and accessible water for Mount Morgan and strengthens supply resilience for the wider Gracemere region.”
Rockhampton Mayor Tony Williams said the milestone marked the fulfilment of a commitment made to the town during the height of the water crisis.
“In 2021, we made a commitment to Mount Morgan to find a long-term sustainable solution to their water insecurity and we are so close to achieving that,” Williams said. “This is about unlocking Mount Morgan’s future and giving the community the tools it needs to grow and thrive.”
Attention has now shifted to the commissioning phase, with extensive cleaning, disinfection and testing required before the pipeline can be brought online.
Water Councillor Edward Oram said water quality compliance would guide the final stages.
“We have over 28 kilometres of pipe to disinfect, clean, test and confirm before we can turn on the taps,” Oram said. “Once the system is fully approved, Mount Morgan residents will have safe and reliable water from the Fitzroy, no longer reliant on the dam supply and the risks that come with that.”
Jointly funded by the Australian Government, Queensland Government and Rockhampton Regional Council, the project reflects a broader focus on long-term water security for regional communities facing increasing climate variability.