Shakespeare Street stormwater rehabilitation

Share Shakespeare Street stormwater rehabilitation on Facebook Share Shakespeare Street stormwater rehabilitation on X (formerly Twitter) Share Shakespeare Street stormwater rehabilitation on Linkedin Email Shakespeare Street stormwater rehabilitation link

We are completing essential rehabilitation works to 1.1 kilometres of the stormwater line along Shakespeare Street, between Sydney and Hauge streets.

The works will improve the reliability of the network and preserve an important piece of Mackay’s historical infrastructure.

The oval‑shaped stormwater pipe, constructed of dual‑layered brick between 1860 and 1910, shows signs of deterioration. To preserve this important piece of Mackay’s history, prevent further pavement damage and maintain the stormwater service, significant works are required.

Works will include:

  • Cleaning debris from the line.
  • Constructing new access chambers to improve accessibility for future maintenance and repairs.
  • Replacing a section of deteriorated line.
  • Installing custom pipe lining.

Specialist contractor Interflow will complete the works on behalf of council from late-April, 2026.

Work is expected to be completed by mid-October, 2026, weather permitting. However, the nature of the work means that additional scope may be required, which can only be assessed once the work has commenced.

To minimise impacts on surrounding businesses, schools, road users and nearby facilities, work will take place at night: 6pm to 6am, Monday to Friday.

Due to the location of the stormwater line in the middle of the road, short detours will be required. Detours will change frequently as the work location changes.

Upcoming detour / road closure:

More information will be provided soon about upcoming works to construct the new access chambers.

Stay updated on this project by subscribing to its project update emails. Click the Stay Informed button on this page. You will receive an email afterwards asking you to confirm your subscription.

We are completing essential rehabilitation works to 1.1 kilometres of the stormwater line along Shakespeare Street, between Sydney and Hauge streets.

The works will improve the reliability of the network and preserve an important piece of Mackay’s historical infrastructure.

The oval‑shaped stormwater pipe, constructed of dual‑layered brick between 1860 and 1910, shows signs of deterioration. To preserve this important piece of Mackay’s history, prevent further pavement damage and maintain the stormwater service, significant works are required.

Works will include:

  • Cleaning debris from the line.
  • Constructing new access chambers to improve accessibility for future maintenance and repairs.
  • Replacing a section of deteriorated line.
  • Installing custom pipe lining.

Specialist contractor Interflow will complete the works on behalf of council from late-April, 2026.

Work is expected to be completed by mid-October, 2026, weather permitting. However, the nature of the work means that additional scope may be required, which can only be assessed once the work has commenced.

To minimise impacts on surrounding businesses, schools, road users and nearby facilities, work will take place at night: 6pm to 6am, Monday to Friday.

Due to the location of the stormwater line in the middle of the road, short detours will be required. Detours will change frequently as the work location changes.

Upcoming detour / road closure:

More information will be provided soon about upcoming works to construct the new access chambers.

Stay updated on this project by subscribing to its project update emails. Click the Stay Informed button on this page. You will receive an email afterwards asking you to confirm your subscription.

  • Project update: June 22, 2026

    Share Project update: June 22, 2026 on Facebook Share Project update: June 22, 2026 on X (formerly Twitter) Share Project update: June 22, 2026 on Linkedin Email Project update: June 22, 2026 link

    Stage 2 work underway off-site

    Rest assured that while the worksite is currently quiet, work is taking place behind the scenes for Stage 2 of the stormwater line rehabilitation.

    The concrete access chambers (pits) are being constructed off-site, allowing for a reduced duration of on-site impacts to residents and motorists. This method also limits the crew's exposure to tidal flows while working in the lines.

    Once the pits are constructed, onsite work will restart from early August to install them.

    Stage 2 works also include replacement of approximately 20 metres of the existing pipe which has deteriorated beyond reasonable repair near Hucker and Byron streets.

    Stage 2 is expected to be completed in August, with Stage 3 (relining) to start immediately afterward.

    Further updates will be provided as the project progresses - stay tuned!

    Stage 2 work underway off-site

    Rest assured that while the worksite is currently quiet, work is taking place behind the scenes for Stage 2 of the stormwater line rehabilitation.

    The concrete access chambers (pits) are being constructed off-site, allowing for a reduced duration of on-site impacts to residents and motorists. This method also limits the crew's exposure to tidal flows while working in the lines.

    Once the pits are constructed, onsite work will restart from early August to install them.

    Stage 2 works also include replacement of approximately 20 metres of the existing pipe which has deteriorated beyond reasonable repair near Hucker and Byron streets.

    Stage 2 is expected to be completed in August, with Stage 3 (relining) to start immediately afterward.

    Further updates will be provided as the project progresses - stay tuned!

  • Project update: May 21, 2026

    Share Project update: May 21, 2026 on Facebook Share Project update: May 21, 2026 on X (formerly Twitter) Share Project update: May 21, 2026 on Linkedin Email Project update: May 21, 2026 link

    Brick stormwater line with pile of debris made up of sand, gravel and other materialsStage one of rehabilitation works on 1.1km of the century-old stormwater line through Shakespeare Street has now been completed.

    The line has been cleaned and a huge 80 tonnes of debris has been removed!

    Most of the drains in South Mackay flow into Shakespeare Street stormwater line. It's also subject to high and low tides which means there has been a lot of water and debris flowing through the line.

    The debris is made up of mostly sand, gravel and bits of concrete which have built up over the years.

    Redundant services like water mains, sewer mains and gas mains have also been tested and removed by Interflow.

    Now that the line is cleaned and a full condition assessment has taken place, materials are being ordered for stage two (pit construction) and stage three (relining) of the works.

    More information will be provided soon with confirmed dates for construction of the pits.

    Subscribe to project update emails to stay informed.

    Brick stormwater line with pile of debris made up of sand, gravel and other materialsStage one of rehabilitation works on 1.1km of the century-old stormwater line through Shakespeare Street has now been completed.

    The line has been cleaned and a huge 80 tonnes of debris has been removed!

    Most of the drains in South Mackay flow into Shakespeare Street stormwater line. It's also subject to high and low tides which means there has been a lot of water and debris flowing through the line.

    The debris is made up of mostly sand, gravel and bits of concrete which have built up over the years.

    Redundant services like water mains, sewer mains and gas mains have also been tested and removed by Interflow.

    Now that the line is cleaned and a full condition assessment has taken place, materials are being ordered for stage two (pit construction) and stage three (relining) of the works.

    More information will be provided soon with confirmed dates for construction of the pits.

    Subscribe to project update emails to stay informed.

  • Project update: April 16, 2026

    Share Project update: April 16, 2026 on Facebook Share Project update: April 16, 2026 on X (formerly Twitter) Share Project update: April 16, 2026 on Linkedin Email Project update: April 16, 2026 link
    supporting image

    Due to the ongoing overseas conflict, the project team and contractor have reviewed the delivery methodology and project staging to ensure the works can still be delivered in a timely and cost‑effective manner.

    As the existing stormwater line is a non-standard shape, a custom lining is required. This lining cannot be sourced locally, resulting in longer lead times.

    To help manage these constraints, the project staging has been revised as follows:

    • Cleaning of the stormwater lines, originally planned for Stage 2, will now be undertaken first. Completing this work early will allow materials for subsequent stages to be ordered sooner, helping to mitigate supply-chain risks and potential delays.
    • Construction of the access chambers, originally planned as Stage 1 to allow for easier access for the cleaning process, will now proceed as the second stage of works. The timing for this stage is currently under review and further information on anticipated construction dates will be provided as soon as possible.

    Construction on this project will now commence in late April as the cleaning crew are finalising works at other sites within the region.

    We appreciate your patience and understanding while continue work through this.

    Due to the ongoing overseas conflict, the project team and contractor have reviewed the delivery methodology and project staging to ensure the works can still be delivered in a timely and cost‑effective manner.

    As the existing stormwater line is a non-standard shape, a custom lining is required. This lining cannot be sourced locally, resulting in longer lead times.

    To help manage these constraints, the project staging has been revised as follows:

    • Cleaning of the stormwater lines, originally planned for Stage 2, will now be undertaken first. Completing this work early will allow materials for subsequent stages to be ordered sooner, helping to mitigate supply-chain risks and potential delays.
    • Construction of the access chambers, originally planned as Stage 1 to allow for easier access for the cleaning process, will now proceed as the second stage of works. The timing for this stage is currently under review and further information on anticipated construction dates will be provided as soon as possible.

    Construction on this project will now commence in late April as the cleaning crew are finalising works at other sites within the region.

    We appreciate your patience and understanding while continue work through this.

Page last updated: 22 Jun 2026, 08:38 AM