Paradise Dam rebuild begins: Early works to restore water security in Bundaberg

After years of uncertainty and a damning safety report, early works have begun on a new dam wall in Queensland’s Wide Bay-Burnett region.

Early works are now underway to rebuild Paradise Dam’s wall, a key step toward securing long-term water supply for the Bundaberg region.

Early works are set to kick off on a new Paradise Dam wall, restoring the project after years of uncertainty.

The project will deliver water security for the region and Bundaberg’s $2bn agricultural industry.

The Crisafulli Government reaffirms its commitment to fast-track infrastructure projects that boost drought resilience, jobs, and regional growth.
The announced Paradise Dam early works will include construction of a temporary accommodation village, two concrete batch plants, the establishment of support facilities and site preparation.
Paradise Dam, located in Queensland’s Wide Bay-Burnett region, faced significant structural issues due to the roller-compacted concrete used in its construction.
In 2020, a report revealed the RCC was “intrinsically incapable” of meeting safety standards, leading to concerns about the dam’s stability.
As a precaution, water levels were reduced to 42 per cent in 2019.
Despite efforts to address the problems, including lowering the dam wall by 5.8m in 2020, it was announced in 2024 the dam would be functionally replaced with an entirely new structure.
Additionally, the dam’s fishways, designed to assist species like the endangered Queensland lungfish, have been largely ineffective, operating only about 40 per cent of the time due to mechanical failures and low water levels.

Early works are now underway to rebuild Paradise Dam’s wall, a key step toward securing long-term water supply for the Bundaberg region.

This will pave the way for major construction work on the new dam wall, ensuring the project stays on track and aligns with the rigorous environmental and community consultation processes facilitated by the co-ordinator-general.

Project activities including road upgrades to improve community safety and cater for increased traffic movements to and from the dam, and geotechnical and quarry investigations.

The new Crisafulli Government claims the previous Labor government would have seen costs blow out by $3.2bn.

The detailed business case is expected to be delivered to the Queensland Government in early 2026.
The new Paradise Dam project seeks to address safety concerns following an independent review, with a clear focus on ensuring the new dam wall’s structural integrity and its capacity to meet the demands of a growing population and changing climate.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, Jarrod Bleijie, said early works for the new dam wall would restore water security for the region.

“The Crisafulli Government takes water security in our regions seriously, which is why we are fixing Labor’s disaster at Paradise Dam to safeguard water supply for the Wide Bay region,” Deputy Premier Bleijie said.
Minister for Local Government and Water Ann Leahy said the Crisafulli Government remained committed to delivering Paradise Dam to lay the foundation for regional growth and opportunity across the Bundaberg and Burnett regions.

“Water is at the heart of every thriving community, and these early works on Paradise Dam will be a vital step in ensuring Bundaberg has the secure and reliable water supply it needs now and into the future,” Minister Leahy said.

Recent testing found the concrete used in the construction of Paradise Dam had "unprecedented" issues which impact on the long-term strength of the dam wall.

Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett said the LNP was restoring confidence in the future of Paradise Dam.

“I’ve seen first-hand how past Labor governments have neglected Paradise Dam, driving up water prices right when families are already struggling with the cost-of-living crisis,” Mr Bennett said.

“The Crisafulli Government is working with growers, farmers and irrigators to ensure water security for our Burnett region and local industries.”

Member for Bundaberg Tom Smith said all Mr Bleijie announced was the LNP was delaying the business case into rebuilding the Paradise Dam, which would only create more uncertainty for the community and agriculture industry.
“These early works were a continuation of what Labor was already delivering – it seems Jarrod Bleijie wasn’t paying attention.

“The Albanese Government has money on the table and the question now is will the Crisafulli LNP Government deliver $3.8bn in this upcoming state budget to build a new Paradise Dam, as they promised,” Mr Smith said.

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Originally published as Paradise Dam rebuild begins: Early works to restore water security in Bundaberg