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Lower Fitzroy
Scheme
Announced Allocations
Storages
Water Pricing
Scheme information
About
The Lower Fitzroy Scheme provides water for the Stanwell Power Station as well as agricultural and riparian allocation holders along the Fitzroy River.
How the scheme works
- The scheme stores and pumps water from the Fitzroy River and when measured along the river is 68km
- It incorporates the Eden Bann Weir, Stanwell Pump Station and Stanwell Pipeline – all owned and operated by Sunwater
- The 28km Stanwell Pipeline links the pump station with a balancing storage at Stanwell Power Station
- Eden Bann Weir holds in excess of 26,000 ML at full supply level.
Water uses
- Industrial bulk water supply.
Scheme Management
Sunwater must comply with the conditions set out in the Lower Fitzroy Water Supply Scheme Resource Operations Licence (ROL), issued to Sunwater in May 2006 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 Lower Fitzroy scheme as well as water sharing rules and seasonal water assignment (temporary trade) rules
The Lower Fitzroy Water Supply Scheme ROL Operations Manual was re-issued in October 2023.
Sunwater focuses our resources towards timely and cost-efficient delivery of water to customers in the Lower Fitzroy 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.
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:
- Sunwater Online
- Sunwater Customer Support on 13 15 89
Further information about ordering water is detailed in Lower Fitzroy’s Rules and Targets.
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 wide spread general rain exceeds 40 mm in a day over the Lower Fitzroy 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.
For more information contact
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).
Announced Allocations
Water Year: 2023/2024
High priority: 100%
Medium priority: 100%
Announced Allocations effective 1 July 2023 and will be applicable until revised and communicated by Sunwater.
Customers are advised to obtain information about their remaining water allocation balance by accessing SunwaterOnline.
For more information or enquiries, phone 13 15 89 or email customersupport@sunwater.com.au.
History of Announced Allocations
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.
Scheme news
Scheme history
Lower Fitzroy Water Supply Scheme
The Fitzroy Basin in Central Queensland is the second biggest water catchment in the country after the Murray-Darling. More water flows out of the Fitzroy River south of Rockhampton than any other river system on the eastern seaboard.
The Eden Bann Weir was built in 1994 to supply water to the Stanwell Power Station near Rockhampton, which it does via a 28 km pipeline and pump station on the Fitzroy River.
A new 76,000 ML-capacity weir at Rookwood on the Fitzroy River 66km south-west of Rockhampton will create opportunities for agricultural expansion, jobs and economic growth for Central Queensland as well as improved water security for Rockhampton, Gladstone and the Capricorn Coast.