Toowoomba region needs fourth dam to broaden water security following floods, says Councillors Rebecca Vonhoff, Nancy Sommerfield

Toowoomba’s dams are now completely full, but the news has prompted a different question from readers – should we build a fourth? It’s earned support from two councillors.

Water flows over the spillway at Lake Perseverance. Picture: Kevin Farmer

If the Toowoomba region had a fourth drinking water source already built last week, it would be full to the brim today.

That’s the argument made by Councillor Rebecca Vonhoff (picctured) who said the recent heavy rain event over the weekend had showcased the need for a new dam for the growing population.

Cressbrook, Perseverance and Cooby Dams all spilt over on Monday, with more than 93,000 megalitres added to the region’s bulk water supply since Thursday.

But Ms Vonhoff, who is the Toowoomba Regional Council’s water and waste committee chair, said she wanted to see a new dam fast-tracked to further improve the region’s water security.

“It’s absolutely essential, because if we’d had another water source now, if we could’ve had the work done on Thursday, it would be full today,” she said.

“Our water supply would be extended and we could say to businesses who want to come here or expand here is ‘come on down’, so it’s a recruitment and retainment strategy as well.

“Even though our dams are full, we can’t stop working towards that.”

Here’s chopper footage from this afternoon of #coobydam full and spilling. It’s been a looonnnggg time coming

Thanks to my friend in the sky 🚁 for sending to me. @toowoombaregionpic.twitter.com/cRxB4n2Gnp

— Rebecca Vonhoff (@RebeccaVonHoff) March 1, 2022

Ms Vonhoff said the council was still waiting on the results from the Darling Downs water assessment report by the State Government.

“We’re waiting on the Darling Downs water assessment, but it keeps getting kicked along — we need the federal and state governments to be on the same page and working to the same goal,” she said.

“Our little budget doesn’t cut it, we need state and federal money.”

Councillor Nancy Sommerfield had previously tried to fund a feasibility study into Emu Creek Dam back in October 2020, but the motion failed to get enough support.

“I’ve previously moved a motion on Emu Creek Dam, between Crows Nest and Cooyar, and I will be bringing it back again in hopes that council will reconsider its views,” she told The Chronicle.

“We need new water for our region.”