The Queensland Government is building Queensland’s future by investing in critical dam upgrades, and progressing plans for a new South East Queensland dam, to strengthen water security.

In a major new Dam Repair Plan under the Queensland Government, existing dams operating below full-capacity will be restored across the South East, starting with North Pine Dam and Lake Macdonald Dam.  

The Queensland Government’s record investment with the Dam Repair Plan includes:

• Restoring Lake Macdonald Dam from 39% to 100% to deliver an additional 4,891 megalitres, with construction of a new dam wall.
• Restoring North Pine Dam from 54% to 100% to deliver an additional 99,404 megalitres by strengthening the existing dam wall including with anchors on the non-overflow monoliths and dam spillway.

Both North Pine Dam and Lake Macdonald supply drinking water for South East Queensland and these capacity-restoring works will help secure water supply for the long-term.

The Queensland Government has also tasked Seqwater with identifying a new South East Queensland dam site, to secure water supply for the growing population.  

Premier David Crisafulli said the Government was delivering a Dam Repair Plan and a new dam to build Queensland’s future. 

“We are strengthening water security by repairing our dams and delivering new ones, investing in the infrastructure this State hasn’t seen for many decades,” Premier Crisafulli said. 

“We can’t control the weather but we can control our water storage, which is why new and improved dams are a priority. 

“We are building Queensland’s future with a major new investment into our water infrastructure, to ensure we’re delivering water security for now and the future.”

Minister for Local Government and Water Ann Leahy said this was one of the ways the Government was future-proofing Queensland’s water infrastructure.

“The Queensland Government committed to delivering water security for Queenslanders and that is exactly what we are doing,” Minister Leahy said.

“That’s why we’re adding new weirs in Longreach, Barlil and Cooranga and we’re rebuilding Paradise Dam, as well as restoring capacity across South East Queensland dams.” 

Seqwater CEO Emma Thomas said works would ensure South East Queensland dams met modern engineering standards and continued to operate reliably into the future.

“Seqwater is delivering on our largest-ever capital delivery program, with anchoring works at North Pine Dam and construction of a new dam wall at Lake Macdonald underway,” Ms Thomas said.

“These major infrastructure projects are strengthening the performance of our dams, helping ensure they continue to serve South East Queensland communities for generations to come.

“This work complements our water security program to ensure the region has safe, secure water supply now and into the future, including investments to expand the SEQ Water Grid, upgrade treatment plants and enhance the resilience of critical water infrastructure across the region.”