Last month, Seqwater awarded AECOM a major contract to deliver engineering consultancy services on its Dam Improvement Program and other dam infrastructure projects planned to be completed by Seqwater now and into the future. 

Seqwater’s Dam Improvement Program is upgrading several dams in south-east Queensland (SEQ) to ensure they continue to operate safely and provide water security for generations to come.  

Seqwater CEO, Emma Thomas, said while dams in our region were built to high safety standards of the time and remain safe, dam design and engineering has evolved significantly since. 

“Through Seqwater’s Dam Improvement Program, we’re investing in the longevity of our region’s dams to ensure they meet updated regulatory requirements and provide water security and flood mitigation benefits for generations to come,” Ms Thomas said. 

“Seqwater has appointed AECOM as its dams engineering service provider to progress major works as part of this program including the next tranche of upgrades on the region’s gated dams – Wivenhoe, Somerset and North Pine.

“The Dam Improvement Program is an enormous undertaking. These projects are extremely complex and require extensive planning and technical expertise to ensure these major investments deliver strategic outcomes vital to the livelihoods of South East Queenslanders.

“AECOM’s industry-leading expertise will support Seqwater to deliver efficiencies across our dam infrastructure projects, meet regulatory requirements and ensure long-term safety, water security and value for money for customers,” she said. 

AECOM is supporting Seqwater on key technical planning and design activities to finalise the Detailed Business Case (DBC) for the Somerset Dam Improvement Project. They will also support on the DBC for the North Pine Dam Improvement Project and the Options Analysis (OA) for the Wivenhoe Dam upgrade. 

Chief Executive of AECOM’s global Water business, Beverley Stinson, said together with Seqwater, AECOM is committed to ensuring South East Queensland’s dams can continue to withstand extreme weather events. 

“Our teams are committed to ensuring the ongoing safety, resilience, and reliability of Queensland’s water supply systems using the full depth of our global capabilities, and we look forward to supporting Seqwater’s vision for a sustainable future and ensuring the communities we serve have access to clean, safe drinking water for generations to come,” she said. 

AECOM’s Chief Executive of the Australia and New Zealand region, Mark McManamny, said they are excited to continue our trusted partnership with Seqwater, a leader in delivering sustainable and innovative water solutions for South East Queensland.

"Our long-standing relationship with Seqwater has been pivotal in advancing other critical infrastructure projects for the bulk water supply authority, including for Hinze Dam and the Lake Macdonald Dam Improvement Project,” he said.

Enabling works are expected to commence on-site at Somerset Dam in 2025 as part of the first stage of its upgrade. Staged strengthening works are also commencing at North Pine Dam this year to deliver enhanced safety benefits ahead of the major upgrade, and geotechnical investigations to inform the Wivenhoe Dam OA concluded late 2024.   

Seqwater is delivering on its largest-ever capital works program. Visit the Seqwater website for further information on the pipeline of projects and future opportunities. 

Over $69 million of staged strengthening works are set to begin later this year, with the lake drawdown and dam wall reinforcement all part of delivering enhanced safety benefits at North Pine Dam ahead of the main dam upgrade.

Seqwater Executive General Manager of Operations, Fiore Zulli, said releases to lower the dam from 36 metres AHD to 34 metres AHD would be done at a low-flow rate to minimise community and environmental impacts.

“North Pine Dam has been operating at a reduced supply level of approximately 68 per cent capacity since 2019 and while it continues to operate safely under normal conditions, we’re taking further precautionary measures this wet season by lowering the lake to about 54 per cent capacity to manage existing infrastructure during large inflows,” Mr Zulli said.

“The drawdown will have no impact on the region’s water security, as North Pine is one of several drinking water supply dams connected to the SEQ Water Grid and our combined dam levels remain high.

“We will be carefully controlling these releases, adjusting them as needed in consideration of weather events and downstream flows.”

The lower lake level of 34 metres AHD will be maintained until the staged strengthening project is completed, after which the lake level will be regularly reviewed while planning continues for the main dam upgrade.

Temporarily lowering water levels is industry standard to manage dam structures while upgrades are planned.

The lake level will be comparable to that seen in dry periods in recent years, and Seqwater will take measures to ensure boating and fishing can continue safely.

While picnic areas and recreational facilities are expected to remain open, visitors are encouraged to plan ahead for the changed water levels and check the Seqwater website or download the Seqwater app for the latest information prior to visiting.

Further project information:

The combined upgrades to North Pine Dam will be the site’s most significant investment since it was constructed in 1976 and will ensure the dam continues to meet the latest engineering standards to provide water security for years to come.

For more Information about the North Pine Dam Improvement Project, click here.

Further lake lowering information: 

For more information about the dam, including the lake lowering, visit the click here. 

Part of Seqwater’s Dam Improvement Program, the upgrade will enhance water security and enable the dam to withstand extreme weather events.

Seqwater is committed to keeping the community informed and has planned drop-in community information sessions to provide the opportunity to seek further information on either the North Pine Dam Improvement Project or Staged Strengthening works.

Drop by anytime during the sessions to speak with the team: 

• Tuesday 23 July, 2.30pm - 5pm: Marketplace Warner Shopping Centre
• Saturday 27 July, 9am-12noon: McGavin View Park
• Thursday 1 August, 4pm-7pm: Marketplace Warner Shopping Centre
• Sunday 4 August, 9am-1pm: Old Petrie Town Sunday Market.