Burdekin Falls Dam Raising project

Project overview*

EIS status	EIS active
Description	Proposal to increase the storage capacity of the existing Burdekin Falls Dam by raising the dam by two metres.
Proponent	Sunwater Limited
Location/s	The project is located on the Burdekin River approximately 160 kilometres upstream from the river’s mouth and approximately 210 kilometres south of Townsville. Map
Local government/s	Charters Towers Regional Council Whitsunday Regional Council.
Investment	Initial investment (2018) of up to $502 million. The 2024-2025 Queensland Budget confirms funding of $540 million will remain allocated to improving and raising Burdekin Falls Dam by two metres. This $540 million commitment includes $100 million originally allocated for the project and $440 million allocated through the 2023-2024 Queensland Budget. Planning and preconstruction activities will continue throughout 2024-2025 while the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process is underway. Following the EIS process, the detailed business case will be updated to support a financial investment decision based on total project budget.
Key features	raising the dam spillway by two metres raising the associated abutments and saddle dams adjustments to apron and splitter piers access road realignments and upgrades.
Construction start date	2027 (subject to approvals, final design and an investment decision by the Queensland Government).
Jobs	350 jobs (peak construction).

* Project information supplied by proponent and subject to change.

Date	Activity
Currently	Draft EIS being prepared by proponent.
24 March 2025	Coordinator-General stated a new project declaration lapse date of 7 April 2027.
12 September 2023	Coordinator-General stated a new project declaration lapse date of 7 April 2025.
12 December 2022	Proponent confirmed a refined scope of works, raising to two metres.
23 August 2022	Coordinator-General stated a new project declaration lapse date of 3 October 2023.
1 April 2021	Terms of reference for an EIS ( 885 KB) released.
30 November 2020 to 29 January 2021	Draft terms of reference for EIS public consultation ( 765 KB).
28 August 2020	Australian Minister for the Environment decided that the project is a ‘controlled action'. A project that has the potential to have a significant impact on matters of national environmental significance is called a 'controlled action' and requires approval under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth).
29 July 2020	Gazettal ( 247 KB) of ‘Coordinated project’ declaration.
11 June 2020	Application, including initial advice statement ( 8.9 MB), submitted.