65 per cent construction milestone reached on Australia’s largest weir

Construction on Australia’s largest weir, the $367.2 million Rookwood Weir project in Queensland, is now more than 65 per cent complete.

The $367 million project of the new weir on the Fitzroy River near Rockhampton includes wider works to upgrade existing infrastructure to support the construction and operation of the new weir.

The project is jointly funded by the Federal and Queensland governments and will include construction of an uncontrolled concrete gravity weir on the Fitzroy River, downstream of the Mackenzie and Dawson river systems, structural works on the right riverbank including the installation of intake screens, a low flow outlet and fishlock and earth fill and concrete abutments.

It’s expected to provide greater water security to help grow and diversify agriculture in the region. It will also support industrial growth in the Gladstone, Capricorn Coast and Rockhampton regions.

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More than 81,000m3 of the required 130,000m3 of concrete has now been poured for the weir’s foundations, abutments, monoliths and spilling basin.

The design and construction of the weir is being managed by: Sunwater – construction authority, operator and water marketer, GHD – designer and McCosker Contracting and ACCIONA – constructor.

Water Minister Glenn Butcher said the project has already provided a $170 million boost for the local community in Central Queensland.

“It’s great to see the finishing line in sight for this important project that will drive economic growth throughout Central Queensland,” Butcher said.

“More than 81,000m3 of the required 130,000m3 of concrete has now been poured for the weir’s foundations, abutments, monoliths and spilling basins.”

Rockhampton Mayor Tony Williams said the Rookwood Weir would deliver new opportunities for the agriculture sector.

“It will mean more produce grown locally, greater investment in horticulture, cropping and livestock production and will underpin the future of the Fitzroy Food Bowl,” Williams said.

Sunwater expects construction on the weir to be finished later this year, weather permitting.