Mackay Council will begin work on upgrading Middle Creek Dam to meet new flood requirements set out by the Queensland Dam Safety Regulator. Entracon Civil Pty Ltd has been awarded the $998,000 contract for phase one of the two-phase project.
Phase one will see the spillway crest lowered by about one metre and the dam wall raised by about half-a-metre.
Once phase one is complete, the dam will be equipped to withstand flood events significantly worse than the 2008 Mackay floods.
Before work begins, the dam level will be reduced to create a storage buffer against any unseasonal rainfall impacts.
During construction there will be some minor noise and traffic disruptions in the area.
Council will be engaging with nearby residents and traffic management will be in place to minimise disruptions.
Phase one is expected to be completed this year before the onset of the wet season.
Phase two of the works is required to be undertaken by 2035 and will involve the installation of a more efficient spillway to further improve capacity and the dam wall raised by another 60 to 70 centimetres.
