The region will be better protected this wet season following Sun Water’s acceptance of all recommendations in the much anticipated report issued on this year’s Paradise Dam flood event.
I welcome the report and recommendations, which will help alleviate concerns raised locally about the integrity and flood mitigation impact of the Paradise Dam.
The Queensland Government today released the independent New South Wales Department of Public Works review into dam safety management actions at Paradise Dam.
Locally I recommended the review of the dam, located south-west of Bundaberg following extensive damage during the January 2013 floods, after many concerns that were raised by constituents.
The review specifically looked at damage to Paradise Dam from previous flood events, the adequacy of Sun Water’s response to the flood event, remedial works to the dam and updates to the Emergency Action Plan.
The report commended Sun Water’s safety management actions during the flood event.
The review found Sun Water has a world class dam safety management system for Paradise Dam and it maintained an excellent level of communication with disaster management groups.
The review also recommended several improvements to the dam and its operation be investigated as part of the current remedial works.
Improvements include measures to prevent debris affecting the dam’s operation; improving the mechanical and electrical operation and reliability of the dam; and allowing a greater release discharge without disrupting any potential future remediation work in the dam’s energy dissipation zone.
The findings of the review would make Sun Water’s already impressive dam safety management system even better.
Recently completed repairs to Paradise Dam will enable it to withstand a flood event similar to the one which occurred in January this year.
Further repairs scheduled to be completed by the end of the month will mean the dam should be able to withstand multiple flood events similar to the one which hit the Bundaberg region in January.
The Emergency Action Plan must also be revised to include additional risk-mitigation measures for Paradise Dam.