Qld Government Proceeds with Paradise Dam Rebuild Despite Sunwater Board Opposition
The Queensland government has affirmed its commitment to rebuilding the Paradise Dam, rejecting strong advice from the Sunwater board to abandon the project. Sunwater chair Jeff Seeney described the proposed rebuild as 'grossly disproportionate' and urged that it receive no further consideration, citing a lack of supporting technical and financial data. This stance contrasts with the Liberal National Party's election pledge to invest over $4.4 billion in reconstructing the Bundaberg dam, a promise reaffirmed by Water Minister Ann Leahy. The dam's structural integrity was compromised following 2013 floods, leading to a 2020 decision to lower the wall, and subsequent findings in 2023 that concrete degradation rendered repairs impossible. Premier David Crisafulli dismissed Sunwater's comments as premature, noting that a detailed business case is due this month. Meanwhile, Sunwater is recruiting a new chief executive following Glenn Stockton's resignation. The government maintains that proceeding with the rebuild honors their electoral mandate and ensures community confidence, despite the state-owned corporation's unanimous opposition to the current plan.
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Qld Government Proceeds with Paradise Dam Rebuild Despite Sunwater Board Opposition
The Queensland government has affirmed its commitment to rebuilding the Paradise Dam, rejecting strong advice from the Sunwater board to abandon the project. Sunwater chair Jeff Seeney described the proposed rebuild as 'grossly disproportionate' and urged that it receive no further consideration, citing a lack of supporting technical and financial data. This stance contrasts with the Liberal National Party's election pledge to invest over $4.4 billion in reconstructing the Bundaberg dam, a promise reaffirmed by Water Minister Ann Leahy. The dam's structural integrity was compromised following 2013 floods, leading to a 2020 decision to lower the wall, and subsequent findings in 2023 that concrete degradation rendered repairs impossible. Premier David Crisafulli dismissed Sunwater's comments as premature, noting that a detailed business case is due this month. Meanwhile, Sunwater is recruiting a new chief executive following Glenn Stockton's resignation. The government maintains that proceeding with the rebuild honors their electoral mandate and ensures community confidence, despite the state-owned corporation's unanimous opposition to the current plan.
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