To support community safety, Seqwater has been required to temporarily close the Spillway Common recreation area following an increase in occurrences of unsafe and unlawful fishing and swimming activity around the Wivenhoe Dam wall and spillway.
This is an interim measure to prevent unsafe behaviour while Seqwater and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries work together to introduce additional controls to curb the ongoing activity, with the site planned to reopen from Monday 22 January 2024 upon assessment of risk mitigation strategies.
Seqwater will continue to provide paddle craft groups with access to Atkinsons Crossing during this time, which can be arranged by visiting the Seqwater website.
Over 500,000 people visited Wivenhoe Dam this year and Seqwater Acting Chief Operating Officer Fiore Zulli says there are multiple recreation options available for locals and visitors to safely enjoy.
“It’s important we prioritise safety to avoid another accident,” said Mr Zulli.
“It is disappointing to temporarily close this public site due to the unlawful actions of some reckless individuals, however we are committed to ensuring public safety and will continue to work alongside the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries to put a stop to this behaviour.
“Wivenhoe Dam has plenty of safe recreation areas available for fishing, swimming, paddle craft and more.
“At Cormorant Bay, visitors can fish and bushwalk, with picnic and BBQ facilities available too. The Logan Inlet Day-Use Area also offers boating, paddle craft, fishing, swimming, and BBQ and picnic facilities.
“At Wivenhoe Hill, visitors can mountain bike, bushwalk and ride horses across the 16-kilmometre multi-use trail network which offers spectacular views of the dam,” he said.
In areas at Wivenhoe Dam open to fishing, visitors will need a Stocked Impoundment Permit before casting a line. You can apply for a permit online and find more information on fishing at Wivenhoe Dam at the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries website.
Seqwater Compliance Officers and Rangers actively work to keep recreation sites safe and enjoyable for all. Since 1 January 2023, Seqwater has had more than 30 non-compliance interactions with people found fishing and swimming near the dam wall and spillway during patrols in the area.
It is unlawful to fish within 100m upstream and 600m downstream of the Wivenhoe Dam wall.
Officers of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and its partner agencies enforce fishing regulations across Queensland. On the spot fines of $619 can be issued to people caught fishing in the restricted area close to the Wivenhoe Dam wall, while penalties up to $154,800 can be imposed for fisheries offences prosecuted in court.
To make sure you are on the right side of Queensland’s fishing regulations download the Qld Fishing 2.0 app from Google Play or the Apple app store.
Swimming is also restricted, as signed, due to dangerous currents, bank erosion and rock movement.
To help keep the fun alive during the busy period, Seqwater is urging visitors to remember five simple tips; always swim and fish in the designated areas, keep an eye on the kids, wear the right life jacket, look out for hidden hazards such as submerged objects and always keep a safe distance and speed when boating and jet skiing.
