Community & Business
6 April, 2026
Staged construction of water pipeline will save on water bills
The Queensland Government says a staged construction plan for the Toowoomba to Warwick water pipeline project will protect residents from unnecessary water bill increases of up to 20 per cent.
The project will be undertaken in two stages.
The Government says Stage 1 will deliver the pipeline from Toowoomba to Greenmount, providing water security for the critical growth corridor and securing easements for Stage 2 of the pipeline, which will deliver the remainder of the pipeline from Greenmount to Warwick.
The project will deliver improved water security to the four growing communities of Nobby, Cambooya, Greenmount and Clifton.
The Government says Stage 2 from Greenmount to Warwick will deliver drought contingency to the Southern Downs communities.
It says the Toowoomba to Warwick pipeline complements significant drought resilience works that have been completed by the State Government including upgrades to surrounding water treatment systems and upgrades to the pumps at Leslie Dam which increased its usable water capacity by 1700ML.
In addition, the installation of around 9,500 smart meters will significantly improve efficiencies and reduce water losses throughout the Southern Downs reticulated water network.
Treasurer and Member for Toowoomba South David Janetzki said the announcement delivers on a commitment to strengthening water security across regional Queensland.
“We’re delivering certainty for the Toowoomba and Southern Downs regions and getting important projects back on track after a decade of Labor neglect,” Mr Janetzki said.
The Minister for Local Government and Water Ann Leahy said it was crucial to protect residents from unnecessary water bill shock.
“The former Labor Government left Queens-landers with the most expensive water bills in the nation,” Ms Leahy said.
“Labor never told our Southern Downs community that this project would see household bills increase by a further 20 per cent, we have fixed that.
Member for Condamine Pat Weir said this project provides certainty and water security to our community for the long term.
“The Crisafulli Government is providing clarity and commitment for the people of Greenmount and surrounding communities, ensuring the water security of these growing communities now and into the future,” Mr Weir said.
Member for Southern Downs James Lister said this was a commonsense approach by the Crisafulli Government.
“The people of the Southern Downs having been asking for certainty for years, and this announcement delivers the fiscally responsible solution that we need now and into the future,” Mr Lister said.
Then government-owned statutory authority Seqwater will construct, own, and operate the pipeline.
In 2023 the then Labor Government locked in what it said was the final funding amount of more than $370 million for the pipeline.
