TRC announces Seymour Whyte, SMEC to deliver Cressbrook Dam Safety Improvement Project
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Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) has today (Tuesday, December 19, 2023) announced Seymour Whyte Constructions and SMEC Australia as the successful tenderer for the Cressbrook Dam Safety Improvement Project.
Toowoomba Region Mayor Geoff McDonald joined Councillors and representatives of Seymour Whyte and SMEC Australia at a special ceremonial signing at City Hall.
Mayor McDonald said he was pleased that this unique project had reached this important milestone.
“Today we officially appoint the team who will undertake the first dam safety upgrade project and single largest by a local government in Queensland,” Mayor McDonald said.
“Council continues to advocate to the Australian and Queensland Governments for funding for this unique and critical upgrade to an important strategic asset to increase water resilience for the Region.
“I’m pleased we can now announce Seymour Whyte and SMEC Australia as the successful tenderer for the Cressbrook Dam Safety Improvement Project.
“We have been through a rigorous process to this point and have great confidence Seymour Whyte and SMEC have the on-the-ground and international experience we are looking for in the delivery of the upgrade.
“The budget for the project is approximately $270 million over three to four financial years and is the single-largest project in the history of Toowoomba Regional Council.”
Seymour Whyte’s Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director John Kirkwood said the project marks a critical step forward in infrastructure development and environmental stewardship.
"Our Project Alliance with SMEC and Toowoomba Regional Council underlines our dedication to delivering innovative solutions that meet the dual challenges of modern engineering and ecological sustainability, with every aspect carefully planned to minimise impact and maximise benefit,” Mr Kirkwood said.
“Our approach to this project is ingrained in environmental and sustainability consciousness. Every step will be taken in our design and construction to develop innovative solutions for the dam's long-term viability and adherence to modern engineering standards.”
Kate Drews, SMEC ANZ Acting CEO said: “We are pleased to be working alongside our Alliance partners to help deliver resilient water infrastructure for the Toowoomba Region.
“The long-term viability of key assets like Cressbrook Dam is vital to regional communities and we look forward to bringing our expertise to the project.”
Mayor McDonald said Council will now work with Seymour Whyte and SMEC to establish a Project Alliance to deliver these works with a strong focus on local delivery, ensuring local rates are spent locally.
“Council is confident that the tender’s procurement arrangements will give local businesses every opportunity to benefit from this once-in-a-multi-generation project. Council has used a similar procurement approach to drive positive economic benefits for the Region in other major infrastructure projects, such as the current flood recovery program, that is seeing 70% of expenditure being delivered by local companies,” Mayor McDonald said.
“Council will also continue to advocate for Government funding to help deliver the project and is looking forward to continuing to work with the Minister for Water Glenn Butcher in the refreshed Queensland Government.
“The project will maintain the integrity of the dam wall during extreme flood events and protect landholders downstream of Cressbrook Dam, along Cressbrook Creek, in the Somerset Regional Council area, including Toogoolawah.
“Additionally, Cressbrook Dam is a critical element in the proposed drought emergency water to be delivered to Warwick in the Southern Downs Regional Council via the Toowoomba to Warwick pipeline.
“Recent discussions with both the Australian and Queensland Governments, including various relevant ministers, have been worthwhile and Council’s team has been working closely with State Government representatives on advancing the business case, which we will present to government for funding of this project.
“This project will improve water security, while being economically and environmentally responsible.”
Preliminary work on the Cressbrook Dam Safety Improvement Project is expected to start early in 2024.
For more information on the project visit https://www.tr.qld.gov.au/our-region/major-projects/water-waste/15534-cressbrook-cooby-dams-safety-improvement-upgrades-project
Key facts: • The Cressbrook Dam Safety Improvement Project will widen the dam spillway to increase flood resilience and protect landholders downstream in the Somerset Regional Council area (Cressbrook Creek, including Toogoolawah).
The project is required because of the Queensland Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water’s guidelines relating to acceptable flood capacity modelling under an As Low as Reasonably Practicable (ALARP) risk-based approach. Construction will start in early 2024 and must be completed by October 2025. The total project budget is approximately $270 million (subject to final design and approval). The project will not provide additional drinking water storage but will increase flood capacity and resilience. Council will continue to advocate to Federal and State Governments for funding to help Council deliver the project.Caption: (Top) Seymour Whyte Chief Operating Officer Steve Lambert (left), Toowoomba Region Mayor Geoff McDonald and SMEC ANZ Acting CEO Kate Drews at today’s ceremonial tender signing for the Cressbrook Dam Safety Improvement Project.
Below: Cr Carol Taylor (back left), Cr James O’Shea, Cr Bill Cahill, Cr Melissa Taylor, Cr Nancy Sommerfield, Cr Megan O’Hara Sullivan, Cr Tim McMahon, Cr Kerry Shine and Cr Edwina Farquhar witness the ceremonial tender signing by Seymour Whyte Chief Operating Officer Steve Lambert (front left), Toowoomba Region Mayor Geoff McDonald and SMEC ANZ Acting CEO Kate Drews. Toowoomba Region Deputy Mayor Cr Rebecca Vonhoff was an apology.