Paradise Dam hits 108 per cent capacity after receiving much needed inflows in Bundaberg

As of Monday lunchtime, Paradise dam is currently sitting at 108 per cent capacity, storing 184,046 mega litres, with 20,000 ML expected to flow over each day.

Paradise Dam originally stored 300,000ML when full, but since Sunwater and the State Government lowered the spillway due to safety concerns, the dam can now only store 170,000ML, which is 57pc of it's original capacity.

In addition to Paradise Dam, several storages across Central Queensland and the Burnett region have received good inflows.

Wuruma Dam, located on the Nogo River, has risen from 28.1pc to 34.9pc, receiving about 11,000 megalitres, while Bjelke-Petersen Dam, north of Kingaroy, has received 21,250ML, taking its capacity from 6pc to up over 22.3pc.

Nearby Boondooma Dam has risen from 24.1pc to 33pc, which accounts for an increase in volume of about 18,250ML.

Fairbairn Dam, near Emerald, is also experiencing much-needed inflows, having risen from 12.3pc to 14.5pc with the addition of about 28,000 megalitres. The dam level is expected to rise in the coming days.

A spokesperson for Sunwater said they will continue to monitor inflows and will update customers on the scheme regarding announced allocations as soon as possible.

"After 24 months of historically dry conditions, it is great to see good inflows into storages in the Burnett region," the spokesperson said.

"The volume of water flowing over the dam's spillway could be considered a normal flow for the Burnett River following a rain event of this size.

"The dam is safe. The essential works Sunwater completed at Paradise Dam spillway earlier this year reduced the risk of dam failure. A flood frequency of at least a 1 in 5,000-year event is required before there are any dam safety concerns. This current situation is, on average, a yearly flood event."

Sunwater said some minor riverine flooding downstream is possible and are liaising with Local Disaster Management Groups as necessary.

Wide Bay-Burnett farmers are breathing a sigh of relief after recent rainfall flowed into the Paradise Dam catchment, which is expected to lead to an increase in the announced allocation (AA) for local irrigators.

News that Paradise Dam is now overflowing, thanks to recent rainfall, has been met with both happiness and disappointment from the local farming community.

Bundaberg macadamia and lychee grower, Craig Van Rooyen, said the community's prayers have been answered with the wonderful rain they've received.

"We live in a catchment which regularly goes through dry and wet periods. But what a crying shame that over 20,000 ML a day is currently flowing into the dam that can't be stored because the dam is basically half it's original size now," Mr Van Rooyen said.

"Every mega litre flowing into the dam right now is going straight to sea".

Childers Avocado grower Matthew Dorrian, shares the same frustration, and he said the lost water from Paradise Dam will hamper the region's ability to grow quality produce for the nation.

Dorrian produce has around 70,000 avocado trees and 16,000 Calypso trees growing at the moment, which were able to enjoy 100mm of rain last week.

Matthew said the farms in the area rely on a reliable water supply in order to maintain the quality of their produce.

"The water being lost from Paradise Dam right now would normally be stored in the dam and used in future years to grow crops like avocados, strawberries, macadamias and mangoes," Mr Dorrian said.

"We're pleased rainfall went into the Paradise Dam catchment and it's brought relief for local irrigators because we'll get a higher allocation. But the thing is, that's not going to last and normally there's another 130,000 available during dry periods.

"This rainfall gets us out of the woods for 12 months, but if we have another extended drought like what we've experienced, it wont be enough to sustain our trees."

Mr Dorrian said farmers are still waiting on the long-term solution from the state government regarding the return of the dam's original height.

"When they do come out with what is hopefully a decision to restore it's height, it's the timeframe of when that decision is made through to the action actually happening that's a concern for local growers here," he said.

"It's been dry for a couple of years now and when all the water was released out of Paradise Dam for the remediation process, we we're smack in the middle of a drought. The timing wasn't ideal, particularly when we're were under challenging growing conditions."

"Where lucky enough to have some underground water, but not everyone is in that position. But in terms of on-farm water storage we have two dams."

Despite the recent inflows into Paradise Dam catchment, the class action against Sunwater and the Palaszczuk government regarding the remediation of the dam wall is still going ahead.

Leading the class action on behalf of growers is Marland Law's Tom Marland, who said impacted farmers are still effectively 'tied to the tracks' when it comes to losses associated with the lowering of Paradise Dam.

"It's not a matter of 'if' farmers will suffer financial losses due to the lowering of the dam, it's a matter of 'when'," Mr Marland said.

"This rain is just a temporary reprieve; at the end of the day, Bundaberg region's farmers are still left with a dam which is only half the size of the original dam and that is going to have far-reaching impacts on our state economy.

"For this farming community, reinstating the wall is the only option which will return economic, and emotional, security to the Bundaberg region."

Queensland LNP spokesperson for Water and the Construction of Dams Deb Frecklington said it was a sad day to see precious water flowing over the Paradise Dam spillway.

Ms Frecklington is calling on the Palaszczuk Government to release the long-awaited detailed business case into the future of the dam.

"This is the water that we have been waiting for for so long, and now much of it is lost as it flows out to sea. What should have been water security for future dry times is gone," she said.

"The debacle that is Paradise Dam just keeps getting worse! The people of Bundaberg and the Burnett have waited long enough."

"The recent rainfall has been most welcomed by both community and industry in the Bundaberg Region.

Bundaberg MP Tom Smith said the recent rain has been beneficial for the local community.

Mr Smith has given his support to the farming community to restore the spillway back to it's original height if it's safe to do so.

"Whilst the rainfall has been beneficial and has brought about some immediate relief for growers, I still recognise the importance of ensuring the long-term water security for our region," he said.

"The Minister (Water Minister Glenn Butcher) has made it clear that the options assessment will be released before this year is out and I continue to hold my preferred option to restore the spillway if safe to do so."

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