The Cressbrook Dam Safety Improvement Project team recently joined in national Clean Up Australia Day celebrations by removing debris and refuse from the Lake Cressbrook recreational area.
The $270 million safety improvement project will widen the existing spillway and raise the dam crest level to pass larger volumes of water during major flooding events.
Council established an Alliance contract with dam engineering specialists SMEC Australia and contractor Seymour Whyte Constructions to deliver this specialised project.
Toowoomba Regional Council portfolio spokesperson for Parks and Recreation Services Councillor Tim McMahon said it was great to see the project team give back to the community in this way.
"Clean Up Australia Day is one of our nation's largest community events. Now in its 35th year, this was a good opportunity to bring our project team together and give back to the Toowoomba community," Cr McMahon said.
Toowoomba Regional Council owns Cressbrook Dam, which was designed in the 70s and 80s and completed in 1983.
"Council's Parks and Recreation team does a wonderful job maintaining the gardens and parks in our city. They've been busy cleaning up and mowing after quite a wet summer, so the project team's effort at Lake Cressbrook is certainly appreciated.
"Improving and conserving the environment is the foundation of Clean Up Australia Day, and it's great that the project team wants to see Lake Cressbrook looking its best for users once it's again open to the public," Cr McMahon said.
The upcoming Cressbrook Dam Safety Improvement project construction phase includes establishing boat access to ferry workers to site, a site compound, and staff parking at Lake Cressbrook. The project team's compound and activities will be clearly separated from the general public's boating and recreational facilities to minimise disruption to the community.
Commuters in and around the Lake Cressbrook area may notice increased traffic on selected Toowoomba Region roads during the construction phase as workers arrive and depart Lake Cressbrook for their daily duties.
This safety improvement project has been triggered by the Water Supply (Safety and Reliability) Act 2008 administered by the Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers and includes widening the ungated spillway and raising the dam crest level. The project does not increase the volume of water that can be stored in the dam.
