About the Project
Background
The Central Queensland Regional Water Supply Strategy anticipates growth in the industrial, mining and agricultural sectors and consequent urban development in Rockhampton, Gladstone and the Capricorn Coast.
These factors create a need for the potential development of new infrastructure to help meet future water demand.
The Project
The Lower Fitzroy River Infrastructure Project involves investigating new water infrastructure, specifically weirs, on the Fitzroy River.
Gladstone Area Water Board and SunWater, in cooperation with Rockhampton Regional Council, have initiated this project with technical assistance from multi-disciplinary consultants GHD Pty Ltd.
The project encompasses two sites – Eden Bann Weir and Rookwood Crossing. The potential development options that are being investigated are:
- Raising the existing Eden Bann Weir to a number of levels.
- Constructing a new weir near Rookwood Crossing, again with a number of levels being considered.
- Options comprising a combination of the above.
The assessment of the proposed new water infrastructure at these sites is focusing on whether these options will provide an increase to water reliability and security for existing and potential regional water users.
Project Schedule
The project is likely to be staged, with sequencing and timing dependant on a number of demand triggers including existing and new consumers, drought conditions and security of supply requirements. The project will be implemented by way of a flexible strategy to allow the rapid delivery of water to meet anticipated future demands, when triggered.
These estimated timings are based on gaining approval of the Final Business Case.
Location
The investigation areas are along the Fitzroy River from Eden Bann Weir upstream to reaches along the Mackenzie and Dawson Rivers.
