Barker Barambah

Barker Barambah

Scheme

Announced Allocations
High Priority
100%
Medium Priority
100%
Storages
Water Pricing
Read more about your scheme’s Fees and Charges

Scheme information

About

The Barker Barambah Scheme sources its water from the Bjelke-Petersen Dam, owned and operated by Sunwater. The dam provides regulated storage for downstream irrigation.

How the scheme works
  • The Bjelke-Petersen Dam regulates the release of water by the outlet works to Joe Sippel Weir and Barker Creek
  • Two weirs operate in the scheme downstream of the dam — Joe Sipple Weir and Silverleaf Weir
  • A 6.2km gravity pipeline diverts water from the dam Joe Sipple Weir on Barambah Creek to meet the needs of farmers in the Redgate area.
Water uses
  • Irrigation for farming in Redgate, Murgon and Mondure
  • Urban water supplies to supplement the town water supply for Murgon, Wondai, Byee and Cherbourg
  • Industrial.

Scheme Management

Sunwater must comply with the conditions set out in the Barker Barambah Water Supply Scheme Resource Operations Licence (ROL), issued to Sunwater in November 2005 by the Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water (DRDMW). The ROL outlines the infrastructure details, environmental release rules and all Sunwater’s monitoring and reporting obligations. The ROL also requires Sunwater to operate in accordance with an operations manual that is approved by DRDMW. The operations manual outlines rules for the operation of infrastructure associated with the Barker Barambah scheme as well as water sharing rules and seasonal water assignment (temporary trade) rules.

The Barker Barambah Water Supply Scheme ROL Operations Manual was issued in February 2020.

Sunwater focuses our resources towards timely and cost-efficient delivery of water to customers in the Barker Barambah scheme. We collaborate with our customers to ensure we understand their needs, adapt quickly to changes in the environment and make the most of the available water supply.  To best manage water delivery, arrangements for taking of water within the Scheme have been developed in consultation with its Irrigator Advisory Committee.

Taking water from the scheme

The water ordering system assists Sunwater in delivering water to its customers in an efficient and timely way, enabling them to plan and manage their water use.

Before taking any water, customers should place a water order so that Sunwater can release sufficient water and minimise losses.

Customers who take water without ordering may reduce Sunwater’s ability to supply customers who have ordered according to the above requirements.

To place an order

Customers can place their orders via:

Further information about ordering water is detailed in Barker Barambah’s Rules and Targets.

View the Operating and Water Sharing Rules fact sheet for quick reference and general tips.

Delivery timing

Orders are processed on a daily basis at 6:30am. Orders received after this time cannot be processed until the following day. Please make allowance for these times when placing your order.

The travel time, the number of hours/days it takes from the morning after the order is placed to get water from the dam or weirs to your pump, is:

Barker Barambah Scheme AreaTravel time after order is placed
Joe Sippel ponded area12 hrs
Upper Redgate12 hrs
Joe Sippel Weir to Barker/Barambah Ck Junct1 Day
Bjelke-Petersen Dam to Byee Bridge1 Day
Byee Bridge to Silverleaf Weir2 Days
Silverleaf Weir to Marshlands Bridge1 Day
Marshlands Bridge to Webbers Bridge2 Days
Webbers Bridge to Stonelands GS3 Days
Stopping or restricting supply

Sunwater may suspend or restrict supply in a number of circumstances, including:

  • during maintenance of Sunwater’s assets
  • during a peak demand period, when rosters or rations may apply
  • when the demand for water is so small it is impractical to supply it
  • when there is a need to make special releases to maximise efficiency at times of limited supply
  • during rain shutdown
  • infrastructure limitations which make delivery impractical
  • if supply could cause Sunwater to break the law
  • when operating under special notices or regulations issued by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines {e.g. Water Amendment Regulation (No.3) 2006}.
Weather events and emergency shutdowns

Sunwater asks that customers notify their duty Water Officer, as soon as possible, of any rain event or other circumstances that substantially lessens their water requirements. When widespread general rain exceeds 40 mm in a day over the Barker Barambah Water Supply Scheme, the duty Water Officer may shut the system down.

Customers are also asked to cancel orders if they no longer require ordered water.

If you experience an equipment or power failure emergency, please give immediate notice to Sunwater by calling Sunwater Customer Support on 13 15 89 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Barker Barambah Irrigator Advisory Committee

The Barker Barambah Irrigator Advisory Committee is a group of irrigators within the scheme that have been elected by irrigation customers to represent their interests in relation to scheme operations and water supply issues and improvements with Sunwater.

The committee:

  • provides advice and recommendations to Sunwater regarding scheme operational issues
  • represents the interests of the broader irrigator base in respect of Sunwater’s ongoing operation of the water supply scheme
  • provides a mechanism for Sunwater and its customers to raise and discuss matters of mutual interest in relation to the management of the physical aspects of the scheme and customer relationship issues
  • work collaboratively with Sunwater to identify and introduce new approaches and improvements to water management.
Committee members
NamePositionRepresentative Area/Section
Stuart NicholsonChairpersonRedgate/Moffatdale to Krebs Bridge
Kev ArmstrongVice Chairperson and SecretaryRedgate/Moffatdale to Krebs Bridge
Andrew MayneCommittee MemberKrebs Bridge to Silverleaf Weir (incl. pond area)
Peter EnkelmannCommittee MemberKrebs Bridge to Silverleaf Weir (incl. pond area)
Damien SippelCommittee Member
Jason GoddenCommittee Member
Clare KapernickCommittee Member

Stay up to date with the Barker Barambah Irrigator Advisory Committee.

Announced Allocations

Water Year: 2023/2024
High priority: 100%
Medium priority: 100%

Announced Allocations effective 01 July 2023, and will be applicable until revised and communicated by Sunwater.

2022/2023 to 2023/2024 Carryover Parameters – Cap 6,415.8 ML with 50.041% pro rata and 6% 1st quarter loss factor. For more information about the scheme’s carryover conditions click here.

Customers are advised to obtain information about their remaining water allocation balance by accessing Sunwater Online.

For more information or enquiries, phone 13 15 89 or email customersupport@sunwater.com.au.

History of Announced Allocations
Barker Barambah

AA history

Download
Operational reports

Sunwater releases periodic operational reports detailing Announced Allocation levels and individual storages’ breakdowns within each scheme, the latest of which can be found below.

Operational Report

effective 01 July 2023

Download
Operational Report

effective 01 July 2022

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Operational Report

effective 01 December 2021

Download
Operational Report

effective 18 November 2021

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Operational Report

effective 1 July 2021

Download

Service and Performance Plans

Sunwater prepares an annual Service and Performance Plan (S&PP) for each irrigation service contract area. S&PPs replace the former annual Network Service Plans and annual Performance Reports.

We have updated the naming convention for S&PPs to improve clarity and alignment with plan content. The new convention references the year in which the S&PP is published (or should have been published). Publication should occur within six months of the end of a financial year.

For further information about this service, please visit the Service and Performance Plan page.

Barker Barambah Bulk Supply

2023 Service and Performance Plan

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Barker Barambah Bulk Supply

2021 Service and Performance Plan (originally published as the 2023 Service and Performance Plan)

Download
Barker Barambah Bulk Supply

2020 Service and Performance Plan (originally published as the 2022 Service and Performance Plan)

Download

Scheme news

End of water year newsletter

2022-2023

Download
End of water year newsletter

2021-2022

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End of water year newsletter

2020-2021

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End of water year newsletter

2019-2020

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Scheme history

The vineyards and wineries of the region around Murgon and Nanango are attracting growing numbers of visitors annually
The vineyards and wineries of the region around Murgon and Nanango are attracting growing numbers of visitors annually

Barker Barambah Water Supply Scheme

Barambah is an Aboriginal word meaning "a place where water ripples," with the scheme servicing the diverse farming region of South Burnett’s olive plantations, cattle grazing, pig production and crops including peanuts, lucerne, and cotton.

It is also the fastest-growing wine area in Queensland, with about 25 vineyards from small hobby plots to large commercial operations. Thriving on warm summer days, cool nights, fertile soils and reliable water, the South Burnett vineyards stretch from Goomeri in the north, through Murgon to the Bunya Mountains, Kingaroy and south to Nanango.

Water from the scheme is supplied through the Bjelke-Petersen Dam on Barker Creek, pooled by the Joe Sippel and Silverleaf weirs on Barambah Creek, with help along the way by the Redgate diversion pipeline and the Redgate relift pipeline and pump station. The scheme also supplements the town water supply for Murgon, Wondai, Byee and Cherbourg.