- The Crisafulli Government is delivering on a key election commitment with a major contract awarded for the Cooranga Weir Project.
- Weir forms part of the Crisafulli Government's Watertight Water Security Plan which will deliver water security for the Burnett region.
- The Crisafulli Government is delivering a better lifestyle through a stronger economy and a plan for Queensland's future after Labor's decade of decline.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering on another key election commitment to restore water security in the Burnett region with a major contract awarded for the proposed Cooranga Weir.
After a decade of decline under the former Labor Government, reckless spending and a lack of planning left a huge blackhole in Queensland's water infrastructure network.
The Crisafulli Government - through Sunwater - has appointed Stantec to design Cooranga Weir, which will support long-term water security and agricultural growth for the Burnett region.
Cooranga Weir will store 2,500 megalitres on the Boyne River downstream of Boondooma Dam, future proofing the region's water supply.
The Crisafulli Government's Watertight Water Security Plan is reversing a decade of decline under the former Labor Government, which failed to invest and deliver any major water infrastructure projects across Queensland.
Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training Ros Bates said the next stage of the project showed the Crisafulli Government was serious about disciplined investment.
"We are focused on making sure public money is invested carefully and in projects that support real jobs and long-term growth," Minister Bates said.
"We said we would back regional Queensland, and by building the right infrastructure so regional industries can expand with confidence, we are getting on with it."
Minister for Local Government and Water Ann Leahy said Cooranga Weir was increasing water security to boost productivity and create more jobs for the region's agriculture sector.
"We are continuing to deliver on our commitment to increase water security for our rural and regional communities," Minister Leahy said.
"The design work will ensure we build a great asset that will provide certainty for irrigators for decades to come and ensure a sustainable plan for Queensland's future."
Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Member for Callide Bryson Head said the Crisafulli Government was making real progress to restoring our regional economy.
"The people of Callide have been waiting for a government that understands and supports the important work of our farmers and local businesses," Assistant Minister Head said.
Sunwater CEO Glenn Stockton said the design phase will support a team of 15 Queensland engineering specialists and is expected to be complete in early 2027.
"This work will include the required engineering designs, drawings, and construction support to build the nine-metre high and 180-metre-wide weir," Mr Stockton said.
"Work is also underway on a range of on-site investigations, planning and environmental approvals to enable construction of the weirs."
The next stage of planning for the project includes procurement activities, and early planning for enabling and site preparatory works.
Sunwater will present design options and cost estimates for both weirs to the Crisafulli Government in 2026 for an investment decision.
