28 Feb Queensland Premier Opens RPC Townsville Facility
The Palaszczuk Government’s accelerated $225 million funding for Townsville’s Haughton Pipeline Duplication Project is creating hundreds of local jobs, boosting advanced manufacturing and ensuring the city’s water supply for the future.
Marking another milestone the Premier, the Hon Annastacia Palaszczuk MP, joined Townsville City Council (TCC) Mayor Jenny Hill, Townsville MP Scott Stewart, Thuringowa MP Aaron Harper, RPC Technologies MD, Tony Caristo and Iplex Pipelines Michael Doyle, to officially open the facility where RPC Technologies is manufacturing the fittings for the water pipeline under a subcontract to RPC Pipe Systems. The establishment of the facility has provided more than 20 new local jobs including the training and upskilling in the growing Advanced Composites sector.
“As well as getting on with the vital provision of water for Townsville, this means jobs for local industry. This adds up to water security and economic stimulus from a project that is on time and on budget,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
Iplex Pipelines, who distribute Flowtite®GRP in Australia, is moving the glass reinforced polymer pipes through the Port of Townsville, to be installed by NQ Excavations and CivilPlus.
The new pipelinewill be 36.5 kilometres long and 1.8 metres in diameter with construction due to be completed by the end of 2019. The Flowtite® GRP pipes are manufactured in Adelaide by RPC Pipe Systems which was selected for its superior technology. It is lightweight, has superior corrosion resistance, durability, and provides exceptional hydraulic flow characteristics relative to conventional piping materials. It delivers outstanding value being low maintenance and providing long asset life.
Tony Caristo said, “High performance composite solutions are the solution of the future for infrastructure providers, industry and the communities they serve. RPC has a proud 45-year-plus history of delivering innovative engineered composite solutions, manufactured locally, and we are delighted Townville City Council selected GRP, and local engineering and manufacturing capability for this vital infrastructure project.”