On-site works ramp up on Burdekin Falls Dam Raising Project

On-site works are ramping up on a project that will raise Burdekin Falls Dam by two metres to improve its resilience against extreme weather conditions. 

The on-site work includes drilling and trenching to examine the dam’s foundations, main structure and saddle dams. The project team will also be assessing clay and sand from the area. These works will support 22 jobs over the coming months. 

These activities will help the project team to better understand labour, equipment and material requirements for project construction. 

“North Queenslanders are already reaping the rewards of this project, with the ongoing involvement of local businesses throughout this project. 

“It is great to see on-site activity underway at the dam – and for workers from North Queensland to be playing a key role,” Mundingburra MP Les Walker said. 

“Improvement works will ensure Burdekin Falls Dam continues to pass flood waters safely and complies with modern design standards and guidelines,” Townsville MP Scott Stewart said. 

“I want to see local suppliers and workers engaged in the project now and as it continues to progress,” Thuringowa MP Aaron Harper said. 

Local suppliers from Townsville and Ayr have been engaged to provide accommodation (NQ Caravan Rentals), office and laboratory testing facilities, plant hire and plumbing services. 

Topographic surveys are also progressing and results will help inform the project design. Meanwhile, Sunwater is conducting stakeholder engagement with landholders and Traditional Owners. Cultural heritage field officers that represent the Birriah People are supporting these works. 

“The investigations and preparatory works we have commenced are essential to provide us with the information we need to make important decisions. 

“Sunwater continues to engage directly with the community, landholders and Traditional Owners to ensure local interests and expectations are considered and managed during project activities,” Sunwater CEO Glenn Stockton said. 

“Our Townsville-based business is providing seven on-site accommodation units for the project team, as well as installing barbeque and plumbing facilities. 

“We are excited to be involved in such an important project that gives us an opportunity to expand our team and grow our small, family-run business,” NQ Caravan Rentals Director Hayden Lilly said. 

The Burdekin Falls Dam Raising Project will raise the existing dam by two metres, helping increase water supply and support future water demand in the Burdekin and surrounding regions. 

By raising the dam, it will also help increase its resilience to extreme weather events as well as bring the dam in line with modern engineering design standards. In addition, upgrading the dam will ensure it meets the safety requirements set out in the Water Supply (Safety and reliability) Act 2008 (Qld). 

The proposed upgrade will include raising the spillway and the abutments by using concrete buttressing, raising and widening the saddle dams that surround Lake Dalrymple, and building a new saddle dam on the right bank. 

This project is expected to create approximately 350 jobs during its construction phase. 

Once completed, the higher dam will increase medium priority water allocations by about 150,000 megalitres annually, increasing the dam’s capacity from 1.8 million megalitres to more than 2.4 million megalitres. 

“Queensland’s largest dam is going to get even bigger under the Miles Government. 

“With the project set to create 350 jobs during construction, there will be considerable flow-on benefits for North Queensland. 

“This is good news on the jobs front, with 350 jobs expected during construction. I also look forward to seeing more Townsville and North Queensland suppliers getting involved. 

“The Miles Government continues to deliver for North Queensland, as part of our record big build. Apart from this important project, we have CopperString, the Haughton Pipeline and Riverway Drive, just to name a few,” Minister for Water Glenn Butcher said. 

Source: Queensland Government – Media Statements; Sunwater