Rookwood Weir (Managibei Gamu) spills water for the first time

• Rookwood Weir spills water for the first time since construction completion just over a month ago
• The weir began spilling in the early hours of Wednesday 27 December after significant rainfall in the region
• The weir is currently at 122 per cent capacity and testing of the weir’s infrastructure continues

Vision

Central Queensland’s new Rookwood Weir began spilling water for the first time in the early hours of Wednesday 27 December 2023. The weir is currently at 122 per cent capacity, after reaching its full supply level of 74,300 megalitres.

The spill comes after significant rainfall in the catchment just more than a month after the weir’s official construction completion. 

Rookwood Weir is operating as designed and safely passing water downstream, with a flow rate of approximately 41,900 megalitres per day.

Wet commissioning activities to test the weir’s infrastructure continue, with assessments of certain equipment now possible due to the water level at the weir.

The spill has increased after further rainfall into the catchment overnight and is expected to continue for several weeks.

Rookwood Weir is not accessible to the public and with water still over roads near the site, Sunwater urges members of the public wishing to see the weir spilling to avoid travelling to the area. Visit the Rookwood Weir Facebook page to see the latest footage and imagery of the weir spilling.

Quotes attributable to Acting Minister for the Environment and Water, Senator Murray Watt:

“Rookwood Weir is a gamechanger for water security in central Queensland.

“After the recent opening, it is so exciting to see the next step - its first spill. The weir will boost agricultural production, create jobs and support the economy. 

“I’m pleased to see Central Queensland drawing the benefits of important water infrastructure delivered by Federal and State Labor Governments.”

Quotes attributable to Queensland Minister for Water, Glenn Butcher:

“Only a month after we celebrated the completion of the weir’s construction, it has already experienced its first spill this past week which is really exciting.

“This impressive piece of infrastructure has been built in one of the state’s best catchments and it’s great to see it already living up to expectations.

“What we are seeing proves just how important this weir will be to delivering water security and economic growth for Central Queensland. I look forward to getting back out to the region soon to see the weir in operation.”

Quotes attributable to Rockhampton MP, Barry O’Rourke:

“We will begin to see the regional benefits from this first fill of the weir in no time, with flows reaching Rockhampton and beyond.

“We are now much closer to being able to provide landholders successful in the Rookwood Weir water sales with access to this precious resource.”

Quotes attributable to Sunwater CEO, Glenn Stockton:

“While wet commissioning and testing of the weir’s elements began in December 2023, the weir filling and spilling will allow us to expedite the testing process.

“Rookwood Weir is managing this first event well and passing outflows safely downstream towards our Eden Ban Weir, which is also spilling and currently at 120 per cent, an increase of approximately 300 per cent since 22 December 2023.”

Further Information:

The Queensland and Australian Governments have contributed $183.6 million each to the total spend, and Sunwater is funding the remainder of the $568.9 million Rookwood Weir.

Wet commissioning activities at the weir and finalisation of some environmental approvals remain which will enable Sunwater to provide customers with water from the weir.

Landholders successful in Rookwood Weir water sales must also complete contractual requirements before finalising their water entitlements to access water from the weir.

While water is unavailable for new Rookwood Weir customers until these requirements are met, water will be available for existing Lower Fitzroy Basin unsupplemented water entitlement holders.

ENDS

Media contact: Lizzy Aboud – 0474 811 004