Enabling works advancing for Paradise Dam project

Geotechnical investigations and road upgrades are advancing for the new Paradise Dam wall construction project, 80km south-west of Bundaberg. The State Government said enabling works including the geotechnical activity, road upgrades, concrete mix designs and environmental approvals were supporting 120 jobs. This number is expected to rise to about 350 jobs as planning and design works ramp up from next year. Sunwater announced early this year that testing for Queensland’s $1.2 billion Paradise Dam improvement project had sparked a major change in plans, with problems identified sparking a decision to build an entirely new wall. It has formed an alliance to deliver the new dam wall project – appointing CPB Contractors/Georgiou as construction partner and GHD as the ongoing design partner. The geotechnical work now underway involves drilling to test the strength of the rock below the surface where the new wall will be constructed. This work will confirm the foundation conditions for the new structure while also providing Sunwater important insights to develop costs and materials required to deliver the project. More than 50 boreholes are being drilled to extract core samples at depths ranging from 20 to 100m each. “This geotechnical work will provide us with the data we need to design and build a dam that meets the safety and water security objectives for the Bundaberg region for future generations," Sunwater chief executive officer Glenn Stockton said. “Understanding what’s going on below the surface allows us to consider and address any challenges during design, to prevent potential construction delays or unexpected costs. “Importantly, we are building on previous investigations to ensure the right asset is built.” Quarry investigations and other enabling works are expected to commence later in 2024. “The Queensland Government is committed to delivering this project as quickly as possible, so it’s pleasing to see the enabling works progressing," Water Minister Glenn Butcher said. “While a new dam wall will ensure the people and industries of the Bundaberg region have a reliable water supply for at least the next 100 years, this project is already supporting the local workforce, and we can expect many more jobs to be created as we progress with major construction." Sunwater is also undertaking a detailed business case to expand the Bundaberg Water Supply Scheme irrigation network and address capacity constraints in accessing dam supply. This was a recommendation from the Bundaberg Burnett Regional Water Assessment.

Enabling works advancing for Paradise Dam project

Industry Queensland

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