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Paradise Dam Improvement Project
Paradise Dam, Queensland
Sunwater is planning for a new Paradise Dam wall on the Burnett River after newly identified issues show that no amount of improvement work will fix the existing dam.
Engaging our communities
Sunwater values the insights and perspectives that our stakeholders bring. We undertake meaningful engagement activities with stakeholders, customers and communites who are interested in, or impacted by the Paradise Dam Improvement Project.
Our stakeholders include elected representatives, business groups, environmental groups, indigenous groups, government officers, downstream residents and peak bodies.
Our stakeholder groups ensure:
- there is engagement with relevant stakeholders who can also speak to broader community or industry concerns
- local community knowledge, skills and concerns can be considered in a project or Sunwater activity in constructive and timely way
- early identification of ideas, opportunities and potential project risks or constraints are captured to inform ongoing refinements to the project scope
- we listen to reference group members’ feedback, explore suggestions offered by the group and report back.
We are committed to maintaining open and ongoing communication with all stakeholders and will continue to share updates and seek input as the project progresses.
Paradise Dam Reference Group
The Paradise Dam Reference Group (PDRG) has been established to facilitate the exchange of information and ideas between key stakeholders and Sunwater while the Paradise Dam Improvement Project (PDIP) is implemented. The PDRG Terms of Reference was endorsed by members in November 2022.
The PDRG replaces and builds on the productive work of the Paradise Dam Community Reference Group (CRG) and Paradise Dam Industry Forum (PDIF) and is a forum for discussions in relation to community safety, water security, cultural, social and economic and environmental values.
Sunwater will continue to engage with this group to facilitate the exchange of information and ideas between key stakeholders as planning for the new dam wall progresses.
The PDRG held its first meeting on 7 July 2022.
The PDRG is led by Independent Chair Renée Madsen.
Meeting summaries
- Meeting 1 – July 2022
- Meeting 2 – November 2022
- Meeting 3 – February 2023
- Meeting 4 – June 2023
- Meeting 5 – January 2024
- Meeting 6 – February 2024
- Meeting 7 – May 2024
- Meeting 8 – August 2024
- Meeting 9 – November 2024
- Meeting 10 – April 2025
PDRG members
| Name | Organisation |
|---|---|
| Stuart Randle* | Bundaberg Regional Council (BRC) |
| Gavin Steele^ | BRC |
| Les Hotz* | North Burnett Regional Council (NBRC) |
| Sue Payne^ | NBRC |
| Anna Scott* | NBRC |
| Carl Bacon^ | NBRC |
| Horst Feierabend* | Bundaberg Chamber of Commerce |
| Kevin Edwards* | Biggenden Chamber of Commerce |
| Mike Moller* | Wide Bay Burnett Environment Council (WBBEC) |
| David Arthur* | WBBEC |
| Denise Smith^ | WBBEC |
| Misty Nielson* | Burnett Catchment Care Association |
| Nick McLean* | First Nations Bailai, Gurang, Gooreng Gooreng, Taribelang Bunda (FNBGGGTB) |
| Daniel Reeves^ | FNBGGGTB |
| Winston Mi Mi* | Wakka Wakka people |
| Dale Holliss* | Bundaberg Regional Irrigators Group (BRIG) |
| Simon Doyle* | BRIG |
| Ian Dart^ | BRIG |
| Mark Pressler^ | BRIG |
| Mark Mammino* | Canegrowers Isis (CI) |
| Peter McLennan^ | CI |
| Joanne Hall^ | CI |
| Bree Watson* | Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers (BFVG) |
| Craig Van Rooyen* | BFVG |
| Russell McCrystal^ | BFVG |
| Michael McMahon* | Aust Macadamia Society (AMS) |
| Geoff Chivers* | AMS |
| Angela Williams^ | AMS |
| Eric Carney* | Avocados Australia |
| Lucy Philip* | Avocados Australia |
| Will Thompson* | Citrus Australia |
| Nathan Hancock* | Citrus Australia |
| Sharon McIntosh* | Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) |
Public consultation
There are currently no consultations open for submissions.
Subscribe to receive email notifications when new notices and consultations are available.
Upcoming community engagement
The project team regularly undertakes a range of community information and consultation activities to ensure local voices are heard and considered.
While no events are currently scheduled, this page will be updated with details of any future activities as they are confirmed.
Project and community enquiries
All project related enquiries and complaints are to be directed in the first instance to the project team by either emailing paradise.dam@sunwater.com.au, or phoning the project hotline on 07 3120 0270 – Monday to Friday between 9:00am and 4:00pm.
Media
For media enquiries, please email media@sunwater.com.au or phone 07 3120 0047.