Name of the Project
Burdekin Falls dam hydroelectric power project.

Location
Queensland, Australia.

Client
The Queensland government.

Project Description
The Queensland government plans to develop a business case for a hydroelectric power station on the Burdekin Falls dam – the state’s largest dam – to secure energy and support jobs for North Queensland.

The project proposes to increase the dam’s capacity by 150 000 Mℓ to more than two-million megalitres. The dam is currently at 101% of its 1.86-million megalitre storage capacity.

The project will also include the duplication of the water pipeline to augment water supply to the Townsville city council. 

The new pipeline will expand capacity from 130 Mℓ/d to 356 Mℓ/d. The project further proposes to develop a 50 MW hydroelectric power station, which could generate 150 GWh, based on the current size of the Burdekin Falls dam, and more if the dam is raised.

Jobs to Be Created
Not stated.

Value
The raising of the dam wall is expected to cost about $550-million.

The pipeline is expected to cost about $225-million.

The value of the project is estimated at $200-million.

Duration
Not stated.

Latest Developments
The project is being assessed by the Queensland government, working with the federal government under the National Water Infrastructure Development Fund.

After consulting with the community, the taskforce is expected to report on options to the Premier and Prime Minister in the second half of 2017.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
None stated.

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Queensland government media relations, Geoff Breusch, tel +61 417 272 875.