The state’s water supplier has been tasked with identifying a new South-East Queensland dam site, to secure water supply for the growing population.
The Queensland Government allocated $10 million towards the start of Seqwater’s investigations for a location.
There was also a commitment to double the capacity of Lake Macdonald near Noosa and improve other dams in the south-east.
Premier David Crisafulli said the government was intent on shoring up water supply.
“We can’t control the weather, but we can control our water storage, which is why new and improved dams are a priority,” he said.
He said some works were underway in the quest to find a new dam site.
“We need a large dam in the south-east to future-proof the region for years and decades to come. The geotech work and analysis is being done. It’s important that that is done strategically and … in a calm and considered way.”
The premier could not say what locations were being looked.
“I think it’s important that it (the search) is done properly, that the analysis is done to make sure that it’s in a good location that can be delivered at a good price, but equally that communities aren’t torn apart as well,” he said.
Mr Crisafulli said a new dam would need to go in an area “where you provide minimal impact on communities that maximise return on investment”.
“The joy about starting (to look) now is it gives us the time while we are working on increasing the capacity of what we have already to make sure we plan and get it right.”
Minister for Local Government and Water Ann Leahy provided a timeline.
“We know we need to have a new water source: a new dam here in South-East Queensland by the mid-2030s,” she said.
She also commented on the plan to restore Lake Macdonald to 100 per cent capacity, from 39 per cent, with construction of a new dam wall.
“That (dam) needs to come back to full capacity … bringing an extra 4000ML back into the Sunshine Coast and Noosa areas,” she said.
“That’s critically important for water security in the future. The weather tends to do what it likes to do but we can control the water in our storages.”
Activity has started on the foundations of the new dam wall at Lake Macdonald, after the successful demolition of the old wall and spillway.
Construction is expected to be completed in late 2029, subject to weather and site conditions.
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An Seqwater spokesperson recently told Sunshine Coast News that the upgrade was crucial.
“Construction is progressing on the Lake Macdonald Dam Improvement Project to ensure the dam meets modern engineering and design standards and continues to operate safely and provide water security for generations to come.”
Key aspects of the government’s water security plan include investigating a new dam in the south-east and increasing the capacity of North Pine and Lake Macdonald dams. The projects add to plans to rebuild Paradise Dam and deliver three new weirs.
