Growers welcome near-full allocations but concerned at risks from Paradise Dam rebuild

Irrigators have welcomed 2023-24 water allocations as great news, but remain concerned about losing water through the Paradise Dam rebuild.

Irrigators reliant on the Burnett River sub-scheme have welcomed the close to maximum allocations announced by service provider Sunwater, but concerns remain over water security through the Paradise Dam rebuild.

Irrigators reliant on the Burnett River sub-scheme have welcomed Sunwater’s close to maximum allocations, but concerns remain over water security amid the Paradise Dam rebuild.

Sunwater will provide 100 per cent of water entitlements under the Burnett River sub-scheme to high priority irrigators.

Medium priority irrigators will receive 95 per cent, up from the 76 to 88 per cent predicted in June, for 2023-24.

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While welcoming the announcement as “great news”, irrigators remain concerned about the risk of reduced allocations due to water releases during the Paradise Dam rebuild.

Paradise Dam is the primary dam used by the Burnett River sub-scheme, in addition to Ned Churchward Weir and Ben Anderson Barrage.

Burnett sub-scheme irrigators spokesperson Judy Plath said many growers are concerned about the risk of reduced allocations in the future in the face of dry weather forecasts.

Burnett sub-scheme irrigators spokesperson Judy Plath said future water allocations were still a concern with the region’s dry weather forecast.

“While Sunwater’s actual allocation of 95 per cent is much better than their forecast, it’s a timely reminder that work on Paradise Dam is going to involve a number of water releases and will ultimately put 50 per cent of local irrigators at risk of reduced allocation while works are ongoing,” Ms Plath said.

“We mustn’t forget that Paradise Dam is currently only half its original size, and any water releases during construction are going to further reduce the amount of water available for irrigation in the region.”

A Sunwater spokesperson said allocations would not decrease throughout the year.

Sunwater assured growers that water allocations will not decrease as the Paradise Dam capacity reduces during the rebuild project.

“Sunwater works with customers to make the most of the available water supply, regardless of the conditions,” the spokesperson said.

“Water-sharing rules were changed in March 2020 to quarantine unsold water from Paradise Dam to maximise announced allocations to customers during the Paradise Dam Improvement Project.

“Additionally, when storage level management of the dam is required as part of the project, water that can‘t be stored in downstream storages is made available at no cost to Burnett River sub-scheme customers.

“Allocations are set at the start of the water year and cannot decrease as dam capacity levels reduce.

“However, allocations can increase to a maximum of 100 per cent, should there be inflows or if customer usage or scheme losses are less than estimated at the commencement of the water year.”

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In June, Minister for Water Glenn Butcher announced the allocation of $116.4m in funding for pre-construction work on the Paradise Dam rebuild ahead of the commencement of major construction in late-2024.

The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting a “severely deficient” rainfall season with drier than average conditions.