Govt steps up on Boondooma Dam water levels

Senior State Government officers will be in Mundubbera tomorrow (Friday) to work with North Burnett Regional Council and irrigators on local water supply issues.

Natural Resources Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said the issued required a collaborative solution and departmental staff would start the ball rolling.

“I understand the importance of Boondooma Dam to the North and South Burnett, and how concerned locals are about falling water supplies,” he said.

“My departmental staff will get a better handle from Council’s on the town water situation and the individual water supply circumstances of growers so we can all develop a way forward together.

“It’s a complex situation that needs a collaborative strategy to balance water supply, cost, and energy security.“

The 204,200 megalitre capacity Boondooma Dam provides critical water supply for local households as well as agricultural and industrial customers, including one of the state’s largest electricity generating sites – Tarong Power Station. 

The dam water level is currently 37.6 per cent, and levels reach 34 percent water allocations for irrigators are restricted to secure high priority water supplies for town water and power generation.

“SunWater, as the operator of the dam, have been talking with local growers and council since the start of the year about how to maximise water efficiency,” Dr Lynham said.

“Sunwater and Stanwell Corp, who operate Tarong power station, are also working on short and long term solutions.

“Reliable and secure water is paramount and I look forward to seeing a collaborative strategy from tomorrow’s meeting to work out the next steps, both short and long-term perspective.”

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Media contact:  Jan Martin 0439 341 314