CQ set to thrive with improved water security coming soon
Published on 17 December 2025
Mount Morgan’s $88.2 million Water Pipeline project in Central Queensland has reached another major milestone, with construction now complete and final testing and commissioning of the pipeline underway.
Taps are expected to be turned on in early 2026 for the Mount Morgan community.
The project will address Mount Morgan’s historic water insecurity, by delivering a long-term sustainable water supply to the town, following three years of Level 6 water restrictions from 2021 to 2024.
The new pipeline will connect Mount Morgan to Rockhampton’s Fitzroy Barrage supply, with completed works including:
- Construction of a 28-kilometre potable water pipeline from the existing pump station at Gracemere to Mount Morgan.
- Construction of a new pump station on Old Capricorn Highway, including two new pumps.
- Construction of two new 3.65 megalitre reservoirs and a new pump station including two new pumps at Lucas Street Gracemere, and;
- Construction of a 500 kilolitre reservoir and new pump station including two new pumps at Moonmerra, which is approximately halfway along the pipeline route.
The new treated water supply for Mount Morgan will originate from the Athelstane Reservoirs in South Rockhampton, feed to the new Lucas Street Reservoirs in Gracemere, before being pumped to the Moonmerra pump station, which acts as the final booster pump station for supply to the Mount Morgan South Reservoir.
The Mount Morgan Water Supply Pipeline is jointly funded between the Australian Government ($30 million), Queensland Government ($40.4 million) and Rockhampton Regional Council ($17.8 million). Australian Government funding is provided through the National Water Grid Fund.
Water quality testing will follow the commissioning phase, to ensure that drinking water in the new pipeline passes regulation requirements.
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for the Environment and Water Murray Watt:
“This project will deliver a meaningful lifeline for the community of Mount Morgan for generations to come, helping the town to thrive.
“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 Albanese Government stood up for this project and delivered additional funding to make this happen because we understood the impact it would have on the community, and it’s excellent to see construction done, and important testing begin.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Local Government and Water Ann Leahy:
“Long-term water security is vital to Queenslanders, no matter where they live across our state. One of the Crisafulli Government’s priorities is to ensure affordable and accessible water for all Queenslanders and this pipeline delivers that for those living in Mount Morgan.
“This new infrastructure will improve water security in Gracemere and Mount Morgan is now complete and will soon be ready to supply water to residents in the region.
“This pipeline project is an excellent example of what all levels of government can achieve when working together to deliver infrastructure to support the needs and growth of the local community.”
Quotes attributable to Rockhampton Mayor Tony Williams:
“I’m really proud to see the project reach this milestone and I’m counting down the days to the moment we turn on the taps.
“In 2021, we made a commitment to Mount Morgan to find them a long-term sustainable solution to their water insecurity and we are so close to achieving that.
“This is about unlocking Mount Morgan’s future and giving them the tools they need to grow and thrive.
“We have so many opportunities for our region to really move forward and the Mount Morgan Pipeline is part of that.”
Quotes attributable to Water Councillor Edward Oram:
“We have over 28 kilometres of pipe to disinfect, clean, test and confirm before we can turn on the taps.
“Water quality is a regulated process, and the final stages are all about ensuring the water supply is safe and meets all standards.
“Once the system is fully approved, Mount Morgan residents will continue to have safe and reliable water from the Fitzroy, no longer reliant on the dam supply and the risks that come with that.
“This project is about more than just infrastructure; it’s about delivering for the people of Mount Morgan now and into the future.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Mirani Glen Kelly:
“For too long, Mount Morgan has lived with the uncertainty of water restrictions. This new pipeline means residents can look forward to a dependable, sustainable supply of water. One that supports our region’s continued development.
“With the pipeline now built and testing underway, we’re finally securing a long-term water supply that will set our community up for growth into the future.”