Recreation to resume sooner at Ewen Maddock

Sunshine Coasters will be able to escape the heat and spend more time in the water with a popular watersports venue set to remain open over summer.

Ewen Maddock Dam will remain open to the public throughout the summer months before the rescheduled upgrade begins early next year.

Natural Resources Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said the upgrades will now be delivered in two stages to minimise the closure of recreation areas.

“The new staged approach will reduce the amount of time water levels are lowered and also minimise the duration of closures to the lake’s recreation areas,” Dr Lynham said.

On-water recreation, including a designated swimming and beach area, will now remain open during summer.

Seqwater had re-issued a tender for the project after the initial process in July 2019 did not result in any viable tenders.

“Seqwater undertook a post-tender review to gauge the feedback from potential bidders and have updated the timing and scope of the project,” Dr Lynham said.

“The project will now be delivered in two stages with the lake lowering and embankment work to take place next year after the wet season. This will be followed by work on the spillway in 2021.”

Work is expected to take up to 18 months, subject to weather conditions and other unexpected delays.

To undertake the upgrade safely, the lake’s water level will need to be lowered to about 60 per cent of its full supply level.

Seqwater will maximise the production from its Ewen Maddock Water Treatment Plant over summer and ahead of any lowering as well as making its required environmental releases.

“Maximising production will ensure as much water as possible is used ahead of any lowering of the dam,’’ Dr Lynham said.

The tender for the first stage of the Ewen Maddock Dam upgrade closes 13 November 2019. The revised construction schedule is not expected to change the total project timeline of 18 months.

Dr Lynham said the upgrade was part of Seqwater’s Dam Improvement Program designed to ensure SEQ dams can continue to perform safely into the future.

“The upgrade of Ewen Maddock will increase the dam's resilience to extreme events and bring the dam in line with modern engineering design standards. The revised construction schedule will not increase any risks to dam safety.”

Seqwater will continue to update the community on the project as it develops and a community information event on the project is being planned to take place at the Ewen Maddock Wetlands area during November. 

For more information about the project, visit here.

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Media inquiries:  Michael Saunders 0428 411 617