UPGRADES TO LOUDOUN DAM RECOGNISED WITH HERITAGE AWARD

The State Government’s restoration work on the historic Loudoun Dam has been recognised with a Queensland Heritage Council Silver Award.

The accolade came at last week’s 2007 National Trust of Queensland Heritage Awards.

Natural Resources and Water Minister Craig Wallace said the awards recognised the state’s top heritage and cultural preservation projects, and acknowledged best practice conservation work

“The heritage-listed Loudoun Dam was originally built in 1884, damming the Gibbs and MacDonald Creeks at Irvinebank to supply water for the region’s booming tin mining industry,” Mr Wallace said.

The dam is a three-stepped timber crib ‘weir’ design built from logs and rock infill.

“This design was introduced at the turn of the 20^th century and Loudoun Dam is one of the few remaining timber crib weirs in Queensland.”

Mr Wallace said an infrastructure assessment in 2005 found the dam was in poor condition.

In partnership with RoadTek, the Department of Natural Resources and Water replaced the existing concrete capping on the steps, which had become cracked, to prevent water flowing behind the timber.

Grout was used in and behind the existing stone packing to reinforce the steps without taking away from the dam’s original design.

Mr Wallace said the repairs had to be carefully considered because of the significance of the dam’s structure.

“This repair process was chosen as it was the best heritage based option,” he said.

Mr Wallace said Irvinebank residents were overwhelmingly supportive of the restoration project and many backed the department’s nomination in the awards.

“Many locals feel the dam enhances the beauty of the town and is an important tourist destination, recreation area and wildlife habitat.”

Electronic “before and after” photos available on request.

Media inquiries: Caroline Kaurila, Craig Wallace’s office, on (07) 3896 3694.