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Cooranga Weir Project
Cooranga, Queensland
Sunwater is planning for a new weir at Cooranga in the North Burnett Region to improve regional water security and support agricultural growth.
Project overview
On behalf of the Queensland Government, Sunwater is working to deliver a new weir at Cooranga in the North Burnett Region to improve regional water security and support agricultural growth.
Cooranga Weir has been the subject of previous design and feasibility studies and was recommended for future consideration in the Bundaberg and Burnett Regional Water Assessment (BBRWA).
Once complete, the weir would increase the reliability of existing Medium Priority water allocations to provide opportunities higher value cropping options or expansion of agriculture in the area.
Cooranga Weir is planned to be built on Boyne River approximately 50 kilometres downstream from the Boondooma Dam, in the Boyne River and Tarong Scheme.
The proposed weir will be approximately 10 metres high and 180 metres wide, with a capacity of 2,500 megalitres (ML) to increase the reliability of existing Medium Priority water allocations to build resilience into the water scheme.
Planning activities and on-site investigations are currently underway to inform the development of weir design and cost estimates to be presented to government in 2026 for an investment decision.
Project status
Sunwater is conducting on-site investigations required to progress the planning and design of the new weir, including:
- Ecological surveys to identify the presence of any species and habitats protected under State and Commonwealth legislation.
- Bathymetry surveys to map the depth and shape of underwater terrain to help understand the amount of water the new weir could hold.
- Aerial LiDAR investigations to better understand regional topography.
- Ground surveys to understand the physical and environmental conditions of the site.
- Geotechnical investigations to help understand the ground conditions and rock properties at the site and surrounding area.
- Cultural heritage surveys, working with the Auburn Hawkwood People and Wakka Wakka People to identify and assess areas of the site that hold cultural significance.
Work is also underway to identify and secure the necessary planning and environmental approvals to enable construction of the weir.
Next steps
The next stage of planning for the project includes progressing engineering design, procurement activities, planning for enabling and site preparatory works, and securing necessary approvals.
Sunwater is committed to ensuring local suppliers and the community benefit from this project and will work with local businesses, Traditional Owners and the community to provide information about future work opportunities as they are available.
Cooranga Weir Project is subject to government and environmental approvals, and full costs and timeframes are yet to be determined.
Contact us
If you have a question about Cooranga Weir Project, would like to send us some feedback or contact a member of our project team, here’s how to contact us.
General project enquiries
Ph: 07 3120 0050
E: weirprojects@sunwater.com.au
Media enquiries
Ph: 07 3120 0047
E: media@sunwater.com.au