Following the announcement by the Queensland Government that Paradise Dam will be receiving a new wall downstream of its existing wall, Sunwater has begun initial works to enable the construction.
Upgrades to approximately 10km of Paradise Dam Road have commenced, to improve safety and enhance traffic movement around the dam.
Road improvements are important enabling works to support the new Paradise Dam project. This upgrade to Paradise Dam Road is the first of three road upgrades necessary to support the project.
Constructing the new dam is a complex, multi-year project and will require significant heavy vehicle use to transport construction materials and equipment.
Sunwater has engaged contractor CMC Group to undertake the first upgrade that will run from the dam towards the intersection of Paradise Dam and Booyal-Dallarnil roads.
14 local workers will help to deliver the initial road upgrade, which includes pavement realignment, bitumen surfacing, widening of vertical crests, drainage enhancements, line marking and signage. More jobs are expected on site as works progress.
Construction on the first road upgrade is expected to be completed in late 2024, weather permitting.
Design work is underway for two further upgrades that involve replacing a low-level crossing with a bridge at Degilbo Creek, improving its resilience to flood events, and upgrading sections of Booyal-Dallarnil Road, including the intersections with the Bruce Highway and with Paradise Dam Road.
Planning and design work for the new dam wall is well underway following the appointment of CPB Contractors / Georgiou as construction partner and GHD as the ongoing design partner for the project alliance.
Queensland Minister for Water, Glenn Butcher, said that these road upgrades are vital to ensuring the project is in the best position to start construction and safely transport the right materials and equipment to site.
“Delivering water security and a safe dam for the people of the Bundaberg and Burnett regions is a priority – and we need to make sure we get it right,” Minister Butcher said.
“We are getting on with the job of planning for a new wall at Paradise Dam.”
Member for Bundaberg, Tom Smith, said that it is important that the Bundaberg community is seeing the government’s commitment to progressing the works on Paradise Dam.
“Ensuring the employment of 14 residents from the region demonstrates our focus to deliver the best outcomes for Bundaberg,” Mr Smith said.
“In addition to these local workers, eight locals from Harrison Infrastructure Group also worked on the road network planning at the site, further highlighting the significance of local investment.”
Sunwater CEO, Glenn Stockton, said that not only are these road works an essential part of preparing for construction at the dam, they will also provide long-term improvements for local road users and visitors to the dam.
“We will continue to work with the local community on this crucial project and will provide information about future work opportunities as they are available.”
