Environmental approvals

The Queensland Office of the Coordinator General (OCG) has declared Paradise Dam Improvement Project as a coordinated project under the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 (SDPWO Act).   

The Coordinated project declaration will support and streamline the assessment of project impacts on the environment, community and economy through whole-of-government coordination, early issue resolution and better alignment of State and Commonwealth expectations. 

The project involves significant construction activities, including a new dam wall, partial demolition of the existing structure, and associated infrastructure that may impact some aspects of the surrounding and downstream environment.  

Under Queensland legislation, the project must comply with the Environmental Protection Act 1994 and ensure that potential environmental impacts are properly assessed and mitigated. 
 
Sunwater must now prepare and submit an Impact Assessment Report (IAR) to the Coordinator-General as required under the SDPWO Act to assess the environmental impacts of the following major construction activities: 

• construction of a replacement dam wall approximately 90 metres downstream of the current wall, including fish passage and associated infrastructure 

• partial demolition and decommissioning of the existing dam wall 

• realignment of Kalliwa Road and widening of primary access road across Allen Creek 

• works associated with the right abutment including permanent excavation, access roads, and a secondary spillway 

• relocation of Sunwater’s current Dam Operations building 

• spoil disposal and site rehabilitation 

Once accepted, the draft IAR will be released for public consultation. The OCG will coordinate government agency input and ensure all impacts are thoroughly evaluated, including community interests and concerns. 

The Coordinator-General will coordinate the impact assessment for the new dam wall. 

This declaration builds on the approval of an Early Works Regulation in June 2025 to progress to the next phase of pre-construction activities, including construction of a temporary accommodation village, two concrete batch plants, the establishment of support facilities and site preparation once budget approval is provided. 

The project will be required to comply with all relevant Federal and State Legislative requirements and Sunwater will obtain the appropriate secondary approvals and permits for operation as needed. 

This decision provides clarity on our approvals pathway and allows Sunwater more confidence on construction timing. Construction of the new dam wall is expected to commence in 2028, with completion targeted for 2032, pending all necessary approvals, weather and site conditions. 

Visit the OCG website for more information on the IAR process.