What’s Happening?
Toowoomba Regional Council has completed detailed design for the Cressbrook Dam Safety Improvement Project.
The milestone follows years of investigations, technical studies and planning. It also gives Council greater certainty as the project moves towards its next major stage.
Meanwhile, early works and construction activities have continued alongside detailed design and regulatory reviews.
Why It Matters
The project aims to improve Cressbrook Dam’s long-term safety and resilience. Its design focuses on reducing identified risks through targeted engineering improvements.
Deputy Mayor Councillor Rebecca Vonhoff said extensive technical work had helped establish the preferred solution.
“Extensive work has gone into finalising all design volumes, our design solution and the ALARP recommendation report. The CDSIP Alliance has produced a report of more than 1000 pages which recommends the preferred design solution to enhance the dam’s resilience and reduce overall risk.
“Early works and construction activities have been progressing while detailed design and regulatory reviews continued, with the solution now providing certainty for the project’s next major stage.”
Local Impact
Cressbrook Dam plays an important role in the Toowoomba region’s water supply. Therefore, improving its long-term safety remains a priority for regional water security.
Minister for Local Government and Water Ann Leahy welcomed the milestone.
“This is an important step towards securing the future of a critical water supply for the Toowoomba region,” Minister Leahy said.
“Getting dam safety right is essential, and this risk-based approach will ensure the right improvements are delivered for the long term.
“Cressbrook Dam is vital to water security for more than 180,000 people, and we’re committed to supporting safe, reliable water infrastructure for generations to come.”
By The Numbers
- 3.5 metres: Height of the proposed concrete parapet structure on the dam wall.
- 20 to 35 metres: Planned increase in the spillway’s width.
- $54 million: Queensland Government funding commitment towards the project.
Zoom In
The preferred design includes improvements to the dam wall filters and spillway. It also proposes raising the dam wall by constructing a concrete parapet structure.
To identify suitable improvements, Council used the ALARP framework, meaning As Low As Reasonably Practicable.
This risk-based approach helps determine which measures can reasonably reduce identified safety risks.
The Australian National Committee on Large Dams and the international dam industry endorse this design pathway.
Zoom Out
Council developed the project with input from the Dam Safety Regulator and its alliance partners, SMEC and Seymour Whyte.
Mayor Geoff McDonald said the milestone reflected years of work and careful consideration of the available options.
“As an organisation, we’re incredibly proud to reach this milestone. We’ve worked closely with the Dam Safety Regulator throughout this entire process and a significant amount of work has gone into understanding the risks, testing the available options and identifying the right way forward for Cressbrook Dam. This is an important milestone, not only for our Council, but also as a demonstration of how contemporary risk-based dam safety principles can be successfully applied in practice.”
He also emphasised the importance of prioritising safety throughout the project.
“Our focus has been on doing the work once and doing it right, never compromising on safety for the sake of speed. We’ve stayed true to that commitment and I’m proud of the team for it,” Mayor McDonald said.
What To Look For Next?
With detailed design complete, the project can progress towards further safety-related construction. However, Council has not announced an overall completion date in its latest update.
The Queensland Government and Toowoomba Regional Council are jointly funding the improvements.
Treasurer David Janetzki said the investment would support water security and future growth in the region.
“After years of delays, The Crisafulli Government and Toowoomba Regional Council is getting on with the job and delivering the investment needed to strengthen Cressbrook Dam and secure the Toowoomba region’s water future,” Treasurer Janetzki said. “Our $54 million commitment is a significant investment in this critical piece of infrastructure and demonstrates that when regional Queensland needs investment, this Government gets on with delivering it.”
For more information, visit Toowoomba Regional Council’s project update.