Leighton Holdings subsidiary John Holland has been selected as the preferred tenderer for the construction of the $400 million proposed Connors River Dam to Moranbah Pipeline in Central Queensland.

The project involves the construction of 136 kilometres of large-diameter buried pipeline that will carry around 45,000 megalitres of water per annum from the proposed Connors River Dam to the Bowen Basin and surrounding areas. When completed, it will help meet the increasing water supply reliability and security needs of the region’s booming resources sector.

Gavin Stubbs, general manager of John Holland’s Northern Region, said, “The project will involve the construction of one reservoir, several bored and open creek crossings, several watercourse and road crossings and storages. The delivery of a construction camp and associated road works are also included in the project scope.”

Leighton said it expects that John Holland will be confirmed as the principal contractor when the final investment decision is made by SunWater’s Board in March 2012.

The pipeline is part of the Connors River Dam and Pipeline Project, which will supply water to the existing and new coal mines being established in the Bowen basin and surrounding area.