Sunshine Coast dam upgrade a step closer
12 January 2018
Queensland Government:
Seqwater’s $80 million upgrade of the Sunshine Coast’s
Six Mile
Creek Dam is a step closer to creating 100 local jobs after gaining
special “coordinated project” status.
Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and
Planning, Cameron Dick said Seqwater’s proposed upgrade would bring the
dam, also known as Lake Macdonald, up to modern safety standards making
it better able to withstand a major
flood event.
“The Coordinator General has declared Six Mile Creek Dam a coordinated
project, slashing red tape and ensuring this vital project is up and
running as soon as possible,” Mr Dick said.
Natural Resources, Mines and Energy Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said the
dam provided an essential raw water supply for the Noosa area.
“As part of the South East
Queensland Water Grid, Six Mile Creek Dam
contributes to overall drinking water security for the south-east
corner,” Dr Lynham said.
“The two-year dam upgrade project will ensure the long-term security of
water supply and the ongoing recreational use of Lake Macdonald and its
foreshore.
“The lake attracts more than 200,000 visitors a year, providing an
economic boost to the local community and tourism while providing a
range of recreation activities including sailing, paddling, fishing and
multiuse trials for bushwalking, horse riding and mountain biking.”
The proposed project involves removing the existing spillway, building a
new concrete spillway, improving existing embankments and potentially
building a saddle dam.
Mr Dick said the upgrades would retain Lake Macdonald’s current 8,018
megalitre storage capacity and improve the dam’s capability to cope with
major floods.
Seqwater will now undertake an impact assessment report to investigate
the potential impacts of the project including impacts on the
environmental values of Six Mile Creek.
The project will also require approval from the Commonwealth Department
of Energy and Environment due to potential impacts on matters of
national environmental significance such as the Mary River cod,
Australian lungfish and giant barred frog.
“The impact assessment report is a new methodology available under the
SDWPO Act as a streamlined approach to assessment and an alternative to
the environmental impact statement (EIS) process,” Mr Dick said.
“The requirements of an impact assessment report are identified by the
Office of the Coordinator-General and are informed by government agency
consultation.”
--ENDS--
Source: Queensland Government - www.statements.qld.gov.au
Contact: Minister Dick’s office, Cath Palmer, 0424 823 424
External Links: www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/sixmilecreek
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