Water from Paradise Dam is helping ensure the taps keep running in Childers and Woodgate.
Natural Resources Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said today that the townships’ water source – Gregory Weir – had gone from approaching a critical low to almost full, thanks to Paradise Dam water.
“Sunwater has been releasing water into the Gregory River for the past 10 days following an approach from the weir’s owner, Bundaberg Regional Council,” he said.
“As of today, Gregory Weir is now at full supply level.
“And that means that the people of Childers and Woodgate have secure, ongoing access to the water they need.
“It’s great to be able to provide this for council, for Mayor Jack Dempsey, and these local communities.
“The decision to release this water was not taken lightly.
“But Sunwater and the Government are making every effort to ensure that the water that has to be released for safety is being used as productively as possible.”
Isis and Bundaberg area farmers who don’t normally have access to Paradise Dam water are also able to use the free water being released.
Sunwater has been releasing about 100 megalitres of water per day for the past fortnight into Elliot River, Mahogany Creek, Gregory River, and Logging Creek.
Irrigators with water access rights already on these watercourses have access to free water from the dam.
“A number of these irrigators have used water from those locations to fill their own dams and offstream storages,” Dr Lynham said.
“More water may be available, depending on demand from these irrigators.”
The storage level of Paradise Dam near Bundaberg is being reduced ahead of the 2019/20 wet season. This is to allow works to improve the dam’s stability during extreme rain events.
