The Northern Pipeline Interconnector is a key part of the Queensland state government’s emergency drought strategy and will play an important role in the area’s water distribution grid to connect dams, weirs and other water storage sites. Australian valve maker John Valves has been awarded one of the largest contracts on the project including the supply of fourteen 1000mm high-pressure mainline gate valves. Manufactured at Ballarat, all are either motorised with Rotork IQ70/IB12 actuator and gearbox combinations or fitted with Rotork Gears IS11/AS5 “dual input” manual gearboxes. The Northern Pipeline Interconnector is being constructed by the Southern Regional Water Pipeline Alliance, a joint venture between Abigroup, KBR and McConnell Dowell Constructions. With the potential capacity to transport 65 million litres of potable water a day, the pipeline will link existing and potential future water sources throughout Australia’s Sunshine Coast.