The Queensland state government lowered the wall of Paradise Dam, west of Bundaberg, by 5.8 metres in 2020 due to structural concerns. However, it has since committed to restoring it to the original height; unfortunately, the $1.2 billion project, to be jointly funded by the federal government, will take at least three wet seasons to construct.
As they prepare for a wet summer, Queensland farmers are worried the restoration of a lowered dam wall is taking too long. They are questioning the timeline as they face their third La Nina in a row.
Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers chief executive Bree Watson said growers would feel more secure about the future of the project if it was in the budget. "Until that dam is full [height] we can't actually hold all of this wonderful rain that we've been experiencing," she said. "We've got some challenges coming into the next few months, it's going to be an absolute shame to see that water go to waste."
Source: abc.net.au
