Project overview

The project includes:

• returning the Manton Dam to service
• preconstruction works for the Adelaide River Off-Stream Water Storage (AROWS) project.

Existing infrastructure at Manton Dam will be upgraded to return the dam to service. The project will also build the first phase of the Strauss water treatment plant and distribution network.

Returning Manton Dam to service will increase usable water storage capacity by 14,000 megalitres (ML) and will provide 7,300 ML of water per annum to the Darwin supply network. 

Project overview

This project was expected to restore Paradise Dam to its full 300 gigalitre capacity by re-raising, strengthening and stabilising the existing dam wall. Once completed the project was expected to provide a reliable and secure water supply to support local agricultural, industrial and urban demand.

On 11 January 2024, the Queensland Government announced the Paradise Dam wall would require a complete rebuild 70 m downstream. This is because repairing the existing dam wall is not feasible. 

Project overview

The Big Rocks Weir project includes the construction of a new 10 gigalitre weir approximately 26 km north of Charters Towers in northern Queensland.

This additional water will support the development of up to 5,000 hectares of land for high-value agricultural purposes and will support improved agricultural output in the region. It will deliver water security to create opportunities to transition to high-value perennial crops such as table grapes, avocados and mangoes.