Cressbrook team makes early connections with local emergency services
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Representatives from the Cressbrook Dam Safety Improvement Project recently addressed Toowoomba Regional Council’s Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) meeting, connecting with local emergency services as plans continue for construction on the $270 million project.
The quarterly LDMG meetings bring together Queensland Police, Queensland Fire Department, Queensland Ambulance, the SES, and key Queensland Government departments and service providers.
The meeting was chaired by Deputy Mayor and portfolio spokesperson for Strategic Water Planning and Capital Delivery, Councillor Rebecca Vonhoff.
“This dam safety project is a first for local government in Queensland. It is complex, and the team is working on all aspects of the project’s design and preparing for construction,” Councillor Vonhoff said.
Toowoomba Regional Council owns Cressbrook Dam. Designed in the 70s and 80s and completed in 1983, improving the safety of Cressbrook Dam has been triggered by requirements of the Dam Safety Management Guideline 2020, under the Water Supply (Safety and Reliability) Act 2008, administered by the Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers.
“The complexity of this project can’t be overstated. It’s so important to connect our emergency services with the project team, to share information and gain an understanding of how workers will access the dam, and what precautions will be implemented,” Councillor Vonhoff said.
The project team has identified the local roads being used for the project. Once workers arrive at Lake Cressbrook, they will be transported to the construction site by boat.
“The advice from the team is that boats have been identified as the safest and most efficient way for workers to access what is essentially a remote construction location.
“The team has provided opportunities for all emergency services, and their nominated staff and vehicles, to test the site accesses,” she said.
Council has established an Alliance contract with dam engineering specialists SMEC Australia and contractor Seymour Whyte Constructions to deliver this specialised project.
The Cressbrook Dam Safety Improvement Project is legislated by the Queensland Government and includes widening the ungated spillway and raising the dam crest level.
Cressbrook Dam will not store any more water after the improvements are constructed.
Council continues to advocate for Federal and State funding to reduce the financial burden of delivering this project on the community.
Interested community members can visit the project’s webpage at www.tr.qld.gov.au/damsafetyupgrades to find out more.
Caption: This boat will help transport workers on the Cressbrook Dam Safety Improvement Project to access the remote construction site once works are underway.