Farmer fury over Queensland’s Paradise Dam’s many flaws

Growers are warning one-quarter of our fresh produce will be threatened if the wall of the dangerously flawed Paradise Dam is lowered.

Paradise Dam in November 20-19. Picture: John Wilson

Fruit and vegetable growers are warning the source of one-quarter of Australia’s fresh produce will be threatened if the wall of Queensland’s dangerously flawed Paradise Dam is lowered.

The federal government on Thursday granted approval for the reduction in height of the dam wall, near Bundaberg in southeast Queensland, despite growers’ protests it would threaten water security for farmers.

An independent commission of inquiry into the dam – built by the Beattie Labor government in 2005 – was tabled in state parliament on Thursday.

Natural Resources Minister Anthony Lynham said a litany of failures was identified, and said the inquiry had suggested there needed to be more testing done to “resolve doubts” about the dam’s stability.

“The commission heard evidence about a litany of issues with the design and construction, some of which were ultimately found to be root causes of the present-day structural and stability concerns,” Dr Lynham told parliament.

“The commission found that the design of the primary spillway apron is completely inadequate. It’s simply not wide enough.”

“Evidence before the commission suggested that if the 2013 floods had lasted longer, the erosion due to the insufficient downstream protection may have undermined the dam giving rise to a risk of a dam failure by overturning.”

Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers managing director Bree Grima said more testing should be done before the dam wall was lowered.

“This region provides 25 per cent of the fresh produce for Australia … it’s really concerning for producers and it’s making people extremely anxious,” Ms Grima said.

Repairs at Paradise Dam. Picture: Supplied

“More testing is needed (before the works begin) because it will threaten our water security.”

The report found the dam was at risk of failure if the historic 2013 floods had gone for longer.

Some Bundaberg locals are preparing legal action to challenge state-owned dam operator Sunwater’s decision to lower the dam wall.

LNP MP Colin Boyce, who represents the electorate of Callide, said the lowering of the wall would be “catastrophic” for the wider Bundaberg economy.

A spokesman for Sunwater said it had received federal government approval to lower the dam wall, with essential works to begin on Monday.

“This project will reduce the risk to the downstream community while Sunwater and Building Queensland work on the longer-term remediation of the dam,” he said.

The operator is still reviewing the findings of the commission of inquiry.