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Bundaberg Weirs & Barrages
History
Bundaberg Weirs
The Ben Anderson Barrage, about 26 km from the mouth of the Burnett River, was previously the Burnett Barrage, but renamed to commemorate the role of the long-serving Bundaberg and District Irrigation Committee chairman who was instrumental in realising the irrigation scheme.
Kolan Barrage, 14.5 km from the mouth of the Kolan River, and Bucca Weir, 38 km from the Kolan River mouth, provide additional storage.
Ned Churchward Weir (previously Walla Weir) was renamed to recognise the significant contribution Churchward made to the Bundaberg Irrigation project. This structure was added to the scheme in 1998 and is equipped with a state-of-the-art fish lock.
The two weirs and two barrages support irrigation for 55,000ha of farmland and communities in Burnett, Kolan and Isis Shire as well as Bundaberg city that produce sugar cane along with seasonal fruits, vegetables, nuts as well as urban supplies to Bundaberg city.
The scheme is unique in Queensland as it is the only large-scale irrigation area designed to serve existing farming enterprises rather than help develop the industry.
Did you know?
Bucca Weir is host to the Bucca Rowing Club, hosts many large rowing regattas and has been utilised as an Olympic training facility.
Bucca Weir
11,605 ML
Facilities
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Boat Ramp
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Car Parking
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Road Access
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Lookout
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Picnic Areas
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Toilets
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Rubbish Bins
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BBQs
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Treated Water
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Camping
Additional information
Management
Bucca Weir is owned and managed by Sunwater. Bucca Rowing club has private facilities, including accommodation, boat ramp, toilets and showers.
Public access
Public access is permitted in designated areas only. There is no public access to the weir infrastructure. Sunwater restricts access to the weir infrastructure in order to keep you safe as conditions can be dangerous and unpredictable and water can be released at any time.
Camping
Sunwater does not permit camping near the weir. There is no public campground at Bucca Weir.
Boating and fishing
Sunwater does not permit boating or fishing near the weir. Boating and fishing occur in the surrounding waterway (not owned or managed by Sunwater). Boat operators are reminded to read the signs, look for hazards, boat to conditions and stay away from the weir wall by at least 200 metres or as signed.
Onshore fishing
Sunwater does not permit onshore fishing on or near the weir. Onshore fishing occurs in the surrounding area (not owned or managed by Sunwater). Visitors are reminded that fishing on or near weir walls is unsafe and is not permitted by law.
Swimming, water-based recreation
Sunwater does not permit swimming and water-based recreation near the weir. Swimming and water-based recreation occur in the surrounding waterway (not owned or managed by Sunwater). Visitors are reminded to read the signs, check for hazards, know your swimming ability and enjoy the waterway safely.
Known additional hazards
Visitors accessing downstream of the weir for recreation are warned that water releases can occur at any time.
Ned Churchward Weir
29,508 ML
Facilities
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Boat Ramp
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Car Parking
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Road Access
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Lookout
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Picnic Areas
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Toilets
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Rubbish Bins
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BBQs
-
Treated Water
-
Camping
Additional information
Management
Ned Churchward Weir is owned and managed by Sunwater.
Public access
There is no public access to the weir or weir area. Sunwater restricts access to the weir infrastructure in order to keep you safe as conditions can be dangerous and unpredictable and water can be released at any time.
Camping
Sunwater does not permit camping near the weir.
Boating and fishing
Sunwater does not permit boating or fishing near the weir. Operators who choose to boat or fish in the surrounding waterway (not owned by Sunwater) are reminded to read the signs, look for hazards, boat to conditions and stay away from the weir wall by at least 200 metres or as signed.
Onshore fishing
Sunwater does not permit onshore fishing on or near the weir. Fishing on or near weir walls is unsafe and not permitted by law.
Swimming and water recreation
Sunwater does not permit swimming and water-based recreation near the weir.
Known additional hazards
Visitors accessing downstream of the weir for recreation are warned that water releases can occur at any time.
Ben Anderson Barrage
30,300 ML
Facilities
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Boat Ramp
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Car Parking
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Road Access
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Lookout
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Picnic Areas
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Toilets
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Rubbish Bins
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BBQs
-
Treated Water
-
Camping
Additional information
Management
Ben Anderson Barrage is owned and managed by Sunwater. Bundaberg Regional Council manages the Sandy Hook recreation areas and manages the boat ramp on behalf of the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
Public access
Public access is permitted in designated areas only. There is no public access to the barrage infrastructure. Sunwater restricts access to the barrage infrastructure in order to keep you safe as conditions can be dangerous and unpredictable and water can be released at any time.
Camping
Sunwater does not permit camping near the barrage.
Boating and fishing
Sunwater does not permit boating or fishing near the barrage. Boating and fishing occur in the surrounding waterway (not owned or managed by Sunwater). Boat operators are reminded to read the signs, look for hazards, boat to conditions and stay away from the barrage wall by at least 200 metres or as signed.
Onshore fishing
Sunwater does not permit onshore fishing on or near the barrage. Onshore fishing occurs in the surrounding area (not owned or managed by Sunwater). Visitors are reminded that fishing on or near barrage walls is unsafe and is not permitted by law.
Swimming, water-based recreation
Sunwater does not permit swimming and water-based recreation near the barrage. Swimming and water-based recreation occur in the surrounding waterway (not owned or managed by Sunwater). Visitors are reminded to read the signs, check for hazards, know your swimming ability and enjoy the waterway safely.
Known additional hazards
Visitors accessing downstream of the barrage for recreation are warned that water releases can occur at any time.
Kolan Barrage
4,020 ML
Facilities
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Boat Ramp
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Car Parking
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Road Access
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Lookout
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Picnic Areas
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Toilets
-
Rubbish Bins
-
BBQs
-
Treated Water
-
Camping
Additional information
Management
Kolan Barrage is owned and managed by Sunwater.
Public access
Public access is permitted in designated areas only. There is no public access to the barrage or barrage area. Sunwater restricts access to the barrage infrastructure in order to keep you safe as conditions can be dangerous and unpredictable and water can be released at any time.
Camping
Sunwater does not permit camping near the barrage.
Boating and fishing
Sunwater does not permit boating or fishing near the barrage. Boating and fishing occur in the surrounding waterway (not owned or managed by Sunwater). Boat operators are reminded to read the signs, look for hazards, boat to conditions and stay away from the barrage by at least 200 metres or as signed.
Onshore fishing
Sunwater does not permit onshore fishing on or near the barrage. Onshore fishing occurs in the surrounding area (not owned or managed by Sunwater). Visitors are reminded that fishing on or near barrage walls is unsafe and is not permitted by law.
Swimming, water-based recreation
Sunwater does not permit swimming and water-based recreation near the barrage. Swimming and water-based recreation occur in the surrounding waterway (not owned or managed by Sunwater). Visitors are reminded to read the signs, check for hazards, know your swimming ability and enjoy the waterway safely.
Known additional hazards
Visitors accessing downstream of the barrage for recreation are warned that water releases can occur at any time.
Disclaimer: Sunwater makes no statement, representation, or warranties about the accuracy or completeness of, and users should not rely on, any information provided by Sunwater above, or generally in relation to conditions at a Sunwater storage (Information). Sunwater disclaims all responsibility and all liability (including without limitation, liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages and costs a user might incur as a result of use of such Information, and any Information being inaccurate or incomplete in any way, and for any reason. Users accept sole responsibility and the risk associated with any use of Information, irrespective of the purpose to which such use or results are applied.