Mapping Queensland’s Utilities Infrastructure Pipeline

The scale of utilities investment across Queensland

Queensland’s infrastructure program is often viewed through the lens of transport megaprojects. Major road upgrades, rail expansions and Olympic infrastructure tend to dominate public discussion.

However, a closer examination of the Queensland Major Projects Pipeline Report (QMPPR) reveals a substantial and growing investment program in utilities infrastructure — including water supply systems, wastewater treatment facilities and major pipelines.

These projects are essential to supporting population growth, strengthening water security and enabling economic development across the state.

The QMPPR identifies a total infrastructure pipeline of $127.5 billion over the next five years, spanning transport, energy, utilities and building sectors.

Within this broader program, the electricity, pipelines and telecommunications sector alone accounts for around 31 per cent of the total pipeline, with a funded project value of approximately $22.8 billion to 2029–30.

Alongside these energy and telecommunications investments sits a growing portfolio of water infrastructure, dam upgrades, treatment plant expansions and wastewater network projects.

Together, these projects represent a significant pipeline of work across the utilities sector.

Major water infrastructure projects

Several large water infrastructure projects have been identified in the QMPPR pipeline.

These projects are focused on improving water security, upgrading existing assets and expanding supply networks to support population growth and regional development.

Key projects include:

Wyaralong Dam Water Treatment Plant – Stage 1

• Estimated value: $850 million
• Expected delivery: 2025–2030
• Location: South East Queensland
• Purpose: Expand water treatment capacity to support regional population growth.

North Pine Dam Upgrade

• Estimated value: $756 million
• Expected delivery: 2027–2031
• Location: Moreton Bay region
• Purpose: Improve dam safety and operational capacity.

Somerset Dam Upgrade and Early Works

• Combined estimated value: over $800 million
• Expected delivery: 2026–2031
• Location: Somerset region
• Purpose: Structural improvements and capacity upgrades.

Cressbrook Dam Upgrade

• Estimated value: $243 million
• Expected delivery: 2025–2029
• Location: Toowoomba region
• Purpose: Dam safety improvements and water security upgrades.

These projects reflect the growing importance of water security infrastructure across Queensland, particularly in regions experiencing population growth and increased climate variability.

Pipeline infrastructure and water transfer projects

Pipeline infrastructure also forms an important component of the utilities investment program.

One of the most significant projects identified in the pipeline is the Toowoomba to Warwick Pipeline, which aims to improve long-term water security for regional communities.

Toowoomba to Warwick Pipeline

• Estimated value: $222 million
• Expected delivery: 2025–2029
• Purpose: Provide improved water supply reliability for communities in the Southern Downs region.

Pipeline projects such as this are increasingly important as governments seek to improve resilience within regional water supply networks.

Wastewater and sewer infrastructure upgrades

Alongside water supply infrastructure, the QMPPR also identifies a number of wastewater treatment and sewer network upgrades across South East Queensland.

These projects are being driven primarily by population growth and the need to expand wastewater treatment capacity in rapidly growing urban areas.

Key projects include:

Chambers Flat Wastewater Treatment Plant (Logan)

• Estimated value: $257 million
• Expected delivery: 2025–2032
• Purpose: Provide additional wastewater treatment capacity for Logan’s expanding population.

Kawana Sewage Treatment Plant Upgrade

• Estimated value: $173 million
• Expected delivery: 2025–2029
• Location: Sunshine Coast
• Purpose: Expand wastewater treatment capacity.

Eagle Farm Rising Main Upgrade

• Estimated value: $124 million
• Expected delivery: 2026–2034
• Location: Brisbane
• Purpose: Improve wastewater network capacity and reliability.

Together, these projects illustrate the scale of investment required to support population growth across South East Queensland.

A geographically diverse infrastructure program

One of the notable features of the utilities pipeline identified in the QMPPR is its geographic diversity.

While South East Queensland continues to account for a large share of infrastructure investment, major projects are also being delivered across regional Queensland.

Key regions benefiting from utilities investment include:

• South East Queensland – major treatment plant upgrades and dam infrastructure
• Southern Downs – regional water pipeline projects
• Moreton Bay and Sunshine Coast – wastewater capacity expansions
• Regional inland communities – dam upgrades and water security infrastructure

This geographic spread reflects the importance of utilities infrastructure in supporting both urban growth and regional economic development.

Delivering the utilities pipeline

While the QMPPR highlights the scale of utilities infrastructure investment planned across the state, delivering these projects will present significant challenges.

The report notes that the construction industry will require a workforce of up to 38,000 people to meet peak infrastructure demand across the pipeline.

Utilities projects often require specialised contractors and highly skilled engineering teams. Underground construction, environmental approvals and complex operational constraints can all affect project delivery.

Civil Project Partners Director Ryan O’Neill believes the success of these projects will depend heavily on strong early project development.

“The projects identified in the pipeline represent critical infrastructure for Queensland communities,” O’Neill says.

“But delivering them successfully will require careful planning and realistic delivery strategies.”

Utilities projects frequently involve complex site conditions and operational constraints that must be considered during early project development.

“If the delivery challenges aren’t properly understood early in the project lifecycle, it can lead to cost escalation and delays later,” O’Neill says.

A growing opportunity for the utilities sector

The projects identified in the QMPPR illustrate the growing importance of utilities infrastructure within Queensland’s broader infrastructure program.

As population growth continues and climate pressures intensify, investment in water supply, wastewater treatment and pipeline infrastructure is likely to remain a major priority.

For engineers, planners and project owners, this expanding pipeline presents both opportunities and challenges.

Successfully delivering the next generation of utilities infrastructure will require careful planning, strong procurement strategies and effective project governance.

The organisations that understand these delivery realities will be best positioned to help build the infrastructure Queensland communities will depend on for decades to come.

The Queensland Major Projects Pipeline identifies a number of significant utilities infrastructure projects currently planned or underway across the state. The table below highlights several of the key projects shaping Queensland’s water and wastewater infrastructure program.

Project	Estimated Value	Location	Delivery Window
Wyaralong Dam Water Treatment Plant – Stage 1	$850 million	South East Queensland	2025 – 2030
North Pine Dam Safety Upgrade	$756 million	Moreton Bay Region	2027 – 2031
Somerset Dam Upgrade	~$800 million	Somerset Region	2026 – 2031
Cressbrook Dam Upgrade	$243 million	Toowoomba Region	2025 – 2029
Toowoomba to Warwick Pipeline	$222 million	Southern Downs Region	2025 – 2029
Chambers Flat Wastewater Treatment Plant	$257 million	Logan, South East Queensland	2025 – 2032
Kawana Sewage Treatment Plant Upgrade	$173 million	Sunshine Coast	2025 – 2029
Eagle Farm Rising Main Upgrade	$124 million	Brisbane	2026 – 2034

 

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