The $367.2 million Rookwood Weir project has been acknowledged for its ongoing commitment to good, local jobs, as well as its sustainable design practices.
The Infrastructure Sustainability Council (ISC) has awarded the project an “excellent” rating after evaluating economic, social and environmental performance during its design phase.
Federal Minister for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek has praised the project’s rating.
“The Rookwood Weir project has prioritised sustainable design and its great news that this has been recognised. This is the first time that a weir in Australia or New Zealand has been certified for an Infrastructure Sustainability Rating.
“The weir will deliver essential water infrastructure for Central Queensland, allowing the local agricultural industry to grow and thrive,” said Minister Plibersek.
“The additional water storage provided by the weir will also support population growth in the region. I would like to congratulate everyone involved in developing this important project.”
Queensland Water Minister Glenn Butcher said the project’s outstanding rating is due to a range of measures regarding habitat connectivity, energy savings and local employment and training.
“Rookwood Weir has so far provided 170 good, solid jobs for Central Queenslanders, meaning locals are playing a key role in building an essential infrastructure asset that will benefit their community for generations,” he said.
Rockhampton MP Barry O’Rourke said the rating reflects the dedication of the Rookwood Alliance, which comprises Sunwater, construction partners ACCIONA, McCosker Contracting and design partner GHD.
“It’s fantastic to see these organisations working together to deliver a large project in a way that limits the impact on the environment while contributing to the future prosperity of the region.
“We know Rookwood Weir is also going to open up so much more agricultural land in the Rockhampton region too, which is just another feather in the cap for this critical project that the Palaszczuk Labor Government is delivering.”
Keppel MP Brittany Lauga said while Rookwood Weir will deliver water security long into the future, it’s already boosting the CQ economy.
“The project has invested more than $130 million into the local economy delivering flow-on benefits, while a second tender is underway that will make water available so farmers in the region can expand and diversify their operations.”
The project has been recognised for its innovative fishlock and turtle passage, both of which will help local river species safely navigate the weir with the flows of the Fitzroy River.
It has also achieved significant energy and carbon savings, with design elements reducing both the amount of cement required for construction and the volume of earth to be extracted.
The Infrastructure Sustainability Council administers Australia and New Zealand’s only comprehensive rating system for evaluating economic, social and environmental performance of infrastructure across planning, design, construction and operational phases.
ISC Chief Executive Officer Ainsley Simpson commended Rookwood Weir for demonstrating leadership in sustainable infrastructure.
“Not only has the project made an effort to plan, design, construct, and maintain the weir with sustainability in mind, it has gone further in having its impact measured against a third-party rating scheme,” she said.
Sunwater CEO Glenn Stockton said the Rookwood workforce was making good progress on the weir’s construction.
“Construction activities at Rookwood Weir are on track to be completed in late 2023, which will be followed by a period of commissioning of the infrastructure,” he said.
The Rookwood Weir project is jointly funded by the Australian Government through the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Water Grid Fund ($183.6 million) and the Queensland Government ($183.6 million).
