MEDIA STATEMENT: Crisafulli Government gives green light for Paradise Dam early works

Crisafulli Government gives green light for Paradise Dam early works 

• Vital early works to kick off on new Paradise Dam wall, restoring the project after years of Labor failure.
• The project delivers watertight water security for the region and Bundaberg’s $2 billion agricultural industry.
• Crisafulli Government reaffirms commitment to fast-track infrastructure projects that boost drought resilience, jobs, and regional growth.  

The Crisafulli Government is delivering early works for the Paradise Dam Improvement Project, in a decisive step to secure water security and regional prosperity in the Wide Bay. 

The Paradise Dam early works will include construction of a temporary accommodation village, two concrete batch plants, the establishment of support facilities and site preparation.  

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 Coordinator-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 are continuing. 

The Crisafulli Government is saving the Paradise Dam after Labor’s failure to fix it, instead the former Labor government oversaw massive project blowouts that saw the cost escalate to $4.4 billion, up $3.2 billion. 

The detailed business case is expected to be delivered to the Queensland Government in early 2026. 

The 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. 

“We have been left to mop up Labor’s monumental mess on this critical project, which has faced major cost blow outs as a result of their project mismanagement. 

“Today’s announcement is a significant step in the right direction to deliver a new dam wall, which will support jobs, safeguard Bundaberg’s $2 billion agricultural industry, and benefit the community for generations to come.” 

Queensland’s Coordinator-General, Gerard Coggan said approving the early works was crucial to maintaining momentum on the Paradise Dam project. 

“By fostering strong partnerships between government agencies, stakeholders, and the community, we are ensuring the Paradise Dam Improvement Project meets the highest standards of safety, environmental responsibility, and community benefit.”  

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.