Download
Responsible Agency: SunWater
Proposal Stage of Development: Preliminary Business Case Underway
Building Queensland Role: Assisting with Preliminary Business Case
Planned Stage End Date: Q1 2018
Estimated Cost of Delivery: $160 million*
Date of Publication: December 2017

NEED

Paradise Dam is located approximately 80 kilometres south west of Bundaberg on the Burnett River. It is a key component of the Bundaberg Water Supply Scheme—holding up to 300,000 megalitres of water for the city of Bundaberg and farmland irrigation.

During the 2013 floods, extensive scour occurred downstream of the primary spillway. SunWater immediately repaired the scour and downstream toe of the dam, and investigated options to prevent scour from occurring in future extreme weather events.

This investigation identified necessary improvements to the secondary spillway. Improvement works are being proposed to maintain efficient and safe operation of the secondary spillway during extreme weather events.

PROPOSAL

The proposal is investigating options to improve the safety of Paradise Dam, including improvements to the secondary spillway to prevent significant scour in major flood events. Proposed upgrade options being investigated include constructing a concrete apron and training wall in the secondary spillway to address the potential for scour.

PROPOSAL

The proposal will ensure the dam continues to function as intended in line with best management practices for large dams, including guidelines from ANCOLD and Queensland regulatory guidelines. SunWater regularly conducts dam improvement projects in line with national industry guidelines to maintain safe and efficient dam operation.

NEXT STEPS

Complete Preliminary Business Case

* Nominal cost in Australian dollars 2015, estimate provided by responsible agency.