Filter patches provide a safety boost to Fred Haigh Dam

• Dam safety works completed at Fred Haigh Dam in the Burnett region
• Proactive measure reduces risk of internal erosion of dam wall
• Local workers help deliver upgrade that ensures the dam will function reliably and safely

A project to enhance safety at Fred Haigh Dam west of Bundaberg has been completed.

Sunwater and a local team from KDW Civil successfully completed the work without any impact on water supply or customer allocations.

Filter patches – layers of sand, aggregate and rock topped with mesh – were installed over 550m2 of existing concrete to address any potential weak spots in the dam.

This reduces the risk of structural material of a wall or embankment being eroded or degraded through an event where water seeps through the dam and washes away materials within the structure.

Burnett MP Stephen Bennett said the dam is a key part if the region’s water supply network, with the recent works ensuring it will continue to safely deliver water to local producers and towns for many years to come.

“Fred Haigh Dam has provided a steady water supply for a range of crops, from sugar cane and sweet potatoes to macadamia nuts and avocados, for more than 50 years,” Mr Bennett said.

“I know how important water security is for the region’s growers, so investing in these safety updates are critical for the dam to continue operating safely and efficiently.”

Sunwater CEO Glenn Stockton said the dam is a lifelong piece of infrastructure that requires ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure it can meet modern safety standards.

“Sunwater’s main priority is the safety of its people and the community,” Mr Stockton said.

“We have a responsibility to understand and manage our dams with the aim to maintain public safety and strengthen water security.

“Filter patches are an effective solution to proactively reduce the risk of structural degradation at Fred Haigh Dam so it continues to operate safely well into the future.

“Sunwater would like to thank the team from KDW Civil for their safe approach to delivering the work.

“Sunwater would also like to thank the public for their patience with limited access to some areas of the dam wall while this necessary work was being undertaken.”

Fred Haigh Dam was completed in 1974 as part of the first stage of the Bundaberg Water Supply Scheme.

Located on the Kolan River about 20 km north of Gin Gin, it has a storage capacity of 562,000 megalitres.