Project Update – Wacol Water Infrastructure
The Wacol Water Infrastructure Project was a vital upgrade to secure the drinking water supply for several key government facilities in Wacol including West Moreton Health, Queensland Police Services, and the Wacol Correctional Facilities.
Previously, Queensland Health managed the water supply within the Wacol Government Precinct. This project transferred that responsibility to Urban Utilities (UU), ensuring the network meets modern compliance standards and is fit for long-term service. The existing network included aging asbestos cement mains and a non-compliant main along Orford Drive, both unsuitable for continued operation.
Our scope of works included:
- Replacement of the non-compliant Orford Drive main with a compliant PE100 pipeline.
- Redundant supply pipeline installed on the opposite side of Orford Drive to improve network reliability.
- New pipelines along Cromarty Drive and Wiglow Street to replace aging infrastructure and add redundancy.
- Decommissioning of the existing pump station and asbestos cement mains.
- Installation of customer meters to UU standards, with Urban Utilities now owning, operating, and maintaining the new infrastructure.
The Wacol Water Infrastructure Project achieved Practical Completion on 15 November 2024, in line with the planned delivery schedule. Works were delivered in two coordinated stages:
Stage 1 (27 Nov 2023 – 21 May 2024): Installation of a strategic ring main to support Stage 2 works, allowing removal of existing infrastructure without disrupting supply.
Stage 2 (22 May – 15 Nov 2024): Decommissioning of the existing water main and installation of a new QUU Standard Approved Water Main.
Careful sequencing, proactive stakeholder engagement, and effective planning ensured delivery met both the project’s technical requirements and Urban Utilities’ operational standards.
Key Challenges
Managing Long-Lead Items: The team proactively coordinated procurement and scheduling to integrate redesigned components, including the booster pump, without compromising overall delivery outcomes.
Stakeholder Coordination for Critical Shutdowns: Planning water shutdowns (up to 8 hours) for sensitive facilities such as the QPS, Wacol Correctional Facilities, and West Moreton Health required extensive consultation, careful scheduling, and contingency planning to minimise impacts.
Through careful planning, early risk identification, and flexible sequencing, the project was delivered to QUU standards, meeting both technical requirements and stakeholder expectations.
Lessons Learned & Looking Ahead
Clear, early, and consistent communication with the client and stakeholders proved critical, especially when coordinating shutdowns affecting essential services. Proactive engagement, strong collaboration, and transparent planning were key to maintaining trust and minimising disruption.
- For future Urban Utilities projects, Bellwether will continue to prioritise:
- Early risk identification
- Proactive stakeholder engagement
- Flexible planning to manage design changes and long-lead procurement challenges
These practices will help us deliver complex infrastructure projects with minimal community impact while maintaining the highest quality and compliance standards.
