Paradise Dam Improvement Project

Project overview*

EIS status Impact assessment report (IAR) active
Description Proposal to construct a replacement dam wall to restore Paradise Dam to its original capacity and full supply level, reinstate water supplies to the existing market and provide water security to the Bundaberg and Burnett regions for decades to come.
Proponent Sunwater Limited
Location/s The project is located on the Burnett River, approximately 20 kilometres northwest of Biggenden and 80km south-west of Bundaberg. Map
Local government/s
  • Bundaberg Regional Council
  • North Burnett Regional Council
Investment $4.4 billion
Key features
  • construction of a new dam wall approximately 90m downstream of the original dam wall
  • partial demolition and decommissioning of the existing dam wall
  • restoration of the dam to full supply level of 67.6m AHD and storage volume of 300,000 ML
  • realignment of Kalliwa Road and widening of site access road across Allen Creek
Construction start date 2028 (subject to approvals)
Jobs
  • Median construction workforce of 600 (with a peak of 750 workers).

* Project information supplied by proponent and subject to change.

Impact assessment report (IAR) process

DateActivity
Currently Draft IAR being prepared by proponent.
8 August  2025Gazettal ( 244.0 KB) of ‘coordinated project’ declaration.
2 July 2025Application, including initial advice statement ( 86.7 MB), submitted.
27 June 2025Project referred to the Australian Government Minister of the Environment and Water.

Further information

Read more about the IAR process.

Last updated: 08 Aug 2025