Emergency Management

Sunwater has dam emergency sirens installed at six locations across Queensland, including Biloela, Coringa, Inglewood, North Eton, Pinnacle and Emerald. Exact dam locations are shown in the table below.

In the highly unlikely event of a dam failure, the sirens will sound ensuring downstream communities receive urgent warning alerts. Siren warnings are in addition to existing Sunwater, council and Local Disaster Management Group emergency notifications.

Sirens will only be activated if an Emergency Action Plan has been triggered for dam failure (either expected or underway). They will not be activated in the event of water releases or downstream flooding.

There is already a strict safety management program in place to ensure dams are managed and maintained to industry standards. The sirens are part of a broader effort to continually improve our emergency management processes and supplement the many ways residents will be notified of an emergency that could result in dam failure.

Dam failure

Dam failure is the physical collapse of all or part of a dam or the uncontrolled release of large volumes of water. Dam failures are extremely rare. There has only been one instance in Australia in the past 90 years.

Causes of dam failure might include:

• large earthquakes that cause the dam wall and embankments to crack
• erosion of the surrounding land
• third party interference, e.g. terrorism or a high energy impact. 

What will the siren sound like?

The siren will be activated in two parts; a Standard Emergency Warning Signal sound followed by the following voice announcement:

“Dam emergency, dam emergency, this is not a drill. ACT NOW.”

Will I hear the sirens?

There are many variables which may influence where the sound of the siren travels including wind direction, the topography of the landscape and other noise interference at the time, such as machinery. Depending on where you are at the time of testing you may not hear the siren but it is important to remember that the emergency sirens are one of many tools that will be used to alert you in the unlikely event of a dam failure. Based on feedback provided by the community following siren testing conducted during 2021, Sunwater has revised the sound zone of the sirens to more accurately reflect where the sirens may be heard. Please refer to the siren location maps shown below for further information.

What you need to do if you hear the siren

While dam failure is highly unlikely, flood water from a dam failure can be unpredictable. If you hear a dam emergency siren sound, you will need to act immediately. Evacuate as quickly as possible to a safe place.

Remember, if you hear the siren:

• act immediately
• check your phone for alerts advising of dam failure and actions required
• ensure everyone at your property is aware of the warning and advice provided
• activate your household emergency plan and keep your mobile phone with you at all times
• head away from low lying areas if you cannot get to the suggested safe areas in time
• check on neighbours and friends who may need special assistance along the way.

Read the transcript of the “What do I need to do if I hear a dam emergency siren?” video.

Siren locations

Dam	Warning system details and location	Siren Map
Coolmunda Dam	Siren at Inglewood ‘Road Subject to Flooding’ signs at Dam Access Road	View Map
Callide Dam	2 x sirens at Biloela	View Map
Teemburra Dam	Siren at Saddle Dam (near Pinnacle)	View Map
Kinchant Dam	Siren, camera and ‘Road Subject to Flooding’ signs at Antony’s Road	View Map
Paradise Dam	Siren at Paradise Dam Siren approximately 7.5 km downstream of Paradise Dam ‘Road Subject to Flooding’ signs at Booyal Crossing	View Map
Fairbairn Dam	2 x sirens at Emerald	View Map

Fast facts

• the sirens are 14 metres high and feature audio equipment, a power source and telecommunications
• once active, automatic silent tests will be performed on the sirens weekly
• a siren’s volume ranges from 70-110 decibels (a vacuum cleaner is 70 decibels and a car horn from one metre away is about 110 decibels)
• the sirens are solar powered with battery back-up and can run for up to 24 hours once activated