$586.9M Rookwood Weir in Rockhampton completed after 12 years

It has come in with a 55 per cent cost blowout but the 86,000 megalitres Rookwood Weir in Central Queensland has officially marked completion.

Rookwood Weir has been completed, November 2023.

It has come in with a 55 per cent cost blowout but the Rookwood Weir in Central Queensland has officially marked completion.

A swag of politicians, including Federal Environment and Water Minister Tanya Plibersek, Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick and Water Minister Glenn Butcher with CQ MPs, and dignitaries, visited the site a 1.5 hours drive outside Rockhampton on Tuesday to inspect the $586.9 million, 86,000 million megalitre weir.

Construction on the weir began in April 2021 and was projected to be $367.2 million and blew out by 54 per cent.

The increase was reported to be due the site being hampered by six floor events, Covid-19 lockdowns, supply chain issues and escalating costs.

The extra cost was carried out by government-owned Sunwater.

The Rookwood Weir sit under construction.

Queensland Government and Federal Government contributed $183.6 million each to the total spend.

Rookwood Weir is the first weir to have been built in Australia since World War II, when Yarrawonga Weir in Victoria in 1939 and the largest water infrastructure since Wyaralong Dam in South-East Queensland in 2011.

It will have up to 86,000 megalitres of water, equivalent to 34,4000 Olympic swimming pools, available annually for agriculture, urban and industrial use.

More than 36,000 megalitres has already been allocated for agricultural use to small businesses and larger enterprises to expand or diversify their operations.

Water allocation has also been given to the Traditional Owners, the Darumbal People, to support ongoing cultural and economic development opportunities.

The first water is expected to be ready for use from next year.

Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick, Minister for Water Glenn Butcher and Rockhampton MP Barry O'Rourke visiting the site where Rookwood Weir will be built.

“As well as boosting water security for Central Queensland, the Rookwood Weir features an innovative fish lock and turtle passage that will support species habitat and migration in the Lower Fitzroy River,” Ms Pilbersek said.

“This project is a win for nature, a win for jobs and a win for water security in Central Queensland.”

The project created 350 jobs during construction with more than half of the positions filled by local workers.

Early design and orientation of Rookwood Weir.

“The Rookwood Weir project has delivered an economic boost for Central Queensland, with more than $270 million being spent in the region,” Member for Rockhampton Barry O’Rourke said.

“Local businesses and suppliers benefited from supply chain opportunities, while workers got the chance to work on a major infrastructure project that will benefit their community for many decades.”

Member for Keppel Brittany Lauga added she had visited the site several times and it was “absolutely fantastic” to see it completed.

“Rookwood Weir is a transformative project for this region and a win for the people of Central Queensland,” she said.

“It will drive benefits for agriculture, industry and urban water security, supporting the economy for years to come.”

Then-Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce (2013) tour a farm on the outskirts of Rockhampton to talk about infrastructure spending including the proposed Rookwood Weir.

The project was a partnership between Sunwater, construction partners ACCIONA and McCosker Contracting and design partner GHD.

Workers spent a combined more than 2.189 million hours on the project and several supporting projects including the $2.2 million upgrade of the Capricorn Highway intersection, $7.5 million upgrade and widening of Thirsty Creek Road, $12.5 million construction of the 260-metre long Riverslea Bridge, $2.2 million upgrade of Hanrahans Crossing, $17 million construction of a new Foleyvale Bridge, $7 million installation of new fishway at the Fitzroy River Barrage.

Michelle Landry surveying the site of Rookwood Weir.

The Rookwood Weir is a project Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry has fought for the better part of the last decade.

“Rookwood Weir is a project close to my heart. I fought for this project before I was elected, so to see it hit the completion stage is a massive achievement,” Ms Landry said.

“Before revealing my success in obtaining the initial $130 million from the former Coalition Government in 2016, I effectively advocated for the inclusion of Rookwood in both the green and white papers addressing the future development of Northern Australia and the enhanced competitiveness of Australian agriculture.

“Additionally, I secured the necessary funding to conduct essential business case and environmental impact studies.”