Hinze Dam upgrade a boost for Gold Coast

10 March 2011

The water storage capacity of Hinze Dam has been doubled by a 15 metre raise of the dam wall.

The higher wall also will provide increased flood protection for more than 3000 homes in lower Nerang River catchment.

The Minister for Energy and Water Utilities Stephen Robertson said the Government had delivered the project on time and within the $395 million budget.

“The Gold Coast is one of the fastest growing areas of the state and this upgrade of Hinze Dam ensures water security for the region for the next 50 years,’’ Mr Robertson said.

“Raising the dam wall also provides greater flood protection for those residents who live near the Nerang River.’’

Mr Robertson said the raising of the dam wall had been completed by Hinze Dam Alliance construction group despite the wettest spring and summer on record.

The project employed about 350 workers, 75 per cent of them Gold Coast residents.

“The weather challenged construction efforts and it is a credit to the Alliance workers that the milestone has been achieved on time and within the budget,” Mr Robertson said.

The dam wall has been raised from 93.5 metres to 108.5 metres. It is now the highest central clay core and rock dam in Queensland.

The dam’s new capacity is 309,700 million litres, equivalent to more than 123,800 Olympic sized swimming pools.

When it opened in 1976, the dam had a storage capacity of 42,400 million litres, which was increased to 161,070 million litres in 1989.

Mr Robertson said that work was continuing on upgrading recreational facilities around the dam.

A Interpretive Centre at the site will include a cafe, lookout points and information on the history of the area.

“There also will be numerous BBQ areas around the dam, as well as walking trails and picnic spots,” he said.

Fishing is permitted in the dam. Sailing and paddle or electric boats are allowed but fuel powered boats are banned.

While new boat ramps designed for Stage 3 dam levels are closed until the water level increases, temporary access is available.

Further information on the dam upgrade is available at http://www.hinzedamstage3.com or by calling 1800 993 413

BACKGROUND

·Completed in 1976, Stage 1 of the Hinze Dam provided a storage capacity of 42,400 million litres, which was increased to 161,070 million litres with the completion of Stage 2 in 1989.

·The Stage 3 project will raise the Hinze Dam embankment wall from 93.5 metres to 108.5 metres, providing a total storage capacity of 309,700 million litres.

·On 1 July 2008, the ownership of the Hinze Dam and the Hinze Dam Stage 3 Project was transferred to state-owned Statutory Authority, Seqwater as part of the South East Queensland water reforms.

·The Stage 3 upgrade has been undertaken by the Hinze Dam Alliance, which comprises Seqwater; construction company Thiess; dam design company URS and consultants SKM.

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