Queensland opposition moves to freeze start of repair work on Paradise Dam

Queensland’s opposition has moved to freeze the start of repair work on the defective Paradise Dam.

Paradise Dam.

Queensland’s opposition has moved to freeze the start of repair work on the defective Paradise Dam with legislative amendments and called for the Palaszczuk Government to conduct more testing before it tears down part of the spillway wall.

Sunwater, the operator of the state-owned 300,000 megalitre dam near Bundaberg, has ordered a 5m reduction of the 52m high wall after internal reviews found it was unsafe in the event of a repeat of the 2013 floods that damaged the dam.

The dam’s water storage level was halved last year with the release of 105,000ML of water into the drought declared region in line with advice to reduce the risk of the dam wall collapsing.

A commission of inquiry into the dam was ordered last year by the Palaszczuk government after revelations in The Australian that major structural and design faults could be traced back to construction by the Beattie Government between 2003 and 2005.

Last month, the majority of a panel of world leading dam experts called to give evidence told the inquiry that more testing was needed to determine the extent of the problems and what repair was needed to be carried out.

American based consultant Steve Tatro warned that without further testing “we’re shooting ourselves in the foot…and we’re forced to move toward some remediation’’.

“At least three out of four of us think we should do a little more testing to get a better definition on shear parameters,’’ he told the inquiry.

The agriculture sector in the Bundaberg community, one of the most productive farming regions in Australia, have also called for more testing and expressed concerns that the state government has refused to commit t to restoring the full water capacity of the dam after repair work.

Repairs underway at Paradise Dam. Picture: Supplied

It is believed that the debt-laden, cash strapped government has been given estimates by Sunwater that it will cost at least $700 million to repair and restore the dam’s water capacity.

Earlier this month, American geotechnical expert Paul Rizzo said although the dam was in a “distressed state”, concerns about a catastrophic failure risking lives downstream were alarmist.

In a submission to the inquiry, he said the flood-damaged dam could be stabilised using special anchors at a cost of about $US15.75m, or less than $25m.

State opposition leader Deb Frecklington said the government should wait for the findings of the inquiry and conduct more testing before lowering the dam wall.

The opposition will introduce amendments on Wednesday to block legislation, introduced earlier this year, to fast-track the work.

“I will do whatever it takes to stop Labor tearing down Paradise Dam and fix it,’’ she said.

“There is now independent expert advice showing the dam can be fixed at a reasonable cost and this must be fully explored.

“The Labor Government is spending a $100 million to lower the Paradise Dam wall when we have independent experts saying it can be fixed for $25 million.

Water Resources minister Anthony Lynham said the government needed to carry-out the work before the next wet season.

“Sunwater, the six members of its Technical Review Panel, five independent engineers, the government dam safety regular and the chief engineer all support the urgent works to lower the spillway before the next wet season to ensure safety,’’ he said.

“Building Queensland is conducting further investigations into three long-term options for after the spillway is reduced by five metres.’’

Dr Lynham said tests were still being carried out to determine the extent of the repair work.

“After the multitude of assessments, all the public hearings, reviews and reports, the LNP are the only ones willing to risk the lives of the people of Bundaberg,’’ he said.