Nathan Dam and Pipelines

Project overview*

EIS status EIS active
Description An 888,000-megalitre dam, with an annual yield of 66,000 ML; and a 260-kilometre trunk pipeline.
Proponent SunWater Ltd (a government-owned corporation)
Location/s
  • Dam: on Dawson River, about 35 km north-east of Taroom.
  • Pipeline: from dam, through the Surat Basin, to Dalby.
    Map
Local government/s
  • Banana Shire Council (water storage area and pipeline)
  • Western Downs Regional Council (pipeline)
Investment $1.4 billion
Key features
  • earth and rockfill dam with spillway on right abutment
  • multi-level offtake
  • aquatic fauna transfer devices
  • pipeline
  • associated infrastructure
Expected completion 2015
Jobs
  • up to 425 (construction)
  • up to 5 (operational)

Have your say

SunWater Limited has prepared an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Nathan Dam and Pipelines Project. The EIS has been released by the Coordinator-General for public and state government advisory agency consultation.

You are invited to comment on the EIS, including the project's potential environmental effects and/or the effectiveness of measures proposed to manage impacts.

The project's impacts on matters of national environmental significance are being assessed under a bilateral agreement process.

The Coordinator-General will consider your submission as part of his assessment of the project's environmental impacts.

Submissions close at 5pm on Tuesday 5 June 2012.

How to make a submission

    1. Read the EIS

  • download the complete EIS or a summary of the EIS (PDF 1.59 MB), or
  • order a free copy on DVD or purchase a printed copy by telephoning 1800 158 651, or
  • view a printed copy between 23 April 2012 and 5 June 2012 at:
    • Chinchilla Library, 68-86 Heeney Street, Chinchilla
    • Miles Library, Cnr Dawson and Murilla Streets, Miles
    • State Library of Queensland, Cultural Centre, Stanley Place, South Bank, Brisbane
    • Taroom Library, 24 Yaldwyn Street, Taroom
    • Theodore Library, The Boulevard, Theodore
    • Wandoan Library, 6 Henderson Road, Wandoan
    • Western Downs Regional Library, 1 Stuart Street, Dalby.
    2. Make a submission

If you have special communication needs and wish to make a submission, telephone the EIS project manager on +61 7 3224 2171 to make alternative arrangements.

    3. Send your submission

Send your completed and signed submission form to one of the following:

  • Email: NathanDam@coordinatorgeneral.qld.gov.au
  • Post:
    The Coordinator-General
    C/- EIS project manager - Nathan Dam and Pipelines Project
    Significant Projects Coordination
    Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning
    PO Box 15517
    City East Qld 4002 Australia
  • Fax: +61 7 3225 8282

Read more about making a submission on an EIS.

Environmental impact statement (EIS) process

Date Activity
23 April 2012 to
5 June 2012		 Public consultation on EIS
13 February 2009 Terms of reference for EIS (PDF, 795 KB) released.
13 September 2008 to
17 October 2008		 Public consultation on draft terms of reference for EIS.
30 July 2008 Project deemed a ‘controlled action’ by federal environment minister.
3 July 2008 Project referred to federal environment minister.
2 May 2008 Gazettal of 'significant project' declaration.
19 March 2008 Application, including initial advice statement (PDF, 219 KB), submitted.

Read more about the EIS process.

Background

The Statewide Water Policy (PDF, 64 KB), released in August 2006, committed $120 million towards the design and construction of Nathan Dam.

The Central Queensland Regional Water Supply Strategy, published in December 2006, identified the dam as an option to supply water to mines, farms, towns and industries.

In December 2007 the dam was included in a state government Program of Works (PDF, 2 MB).

Media releases

Further information

For more information, visit the Nathan Dam and Pipeline web page.

* Project information supplied by proponent and subject to change.