SMEC, in an alliance with Seymour Whyte and Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC), will deliver the Cressbrook Dam Safety Improvement Project.
The project aims to allow the Cressbrook Dam to safely handle surplus water during intense rainfall, raising the dam crest height, while also aligning the structure with current engineering design standards and safety regulations. As a result, enhanced flood capacity and resilience will be delivered to the dam, whilst maintaining its current 81,900 ML drinking water storage capacity.
SMEC will commence the detailed design phase, encompassing the dam spillway widening, embankment increasement and design configuration of the plunge pool.
“We are pleased to be working alongside our alliance partners to help deliver resilient water infrastructure for the Toowoomba Region. The long-term viability of key assets like Cressbrook Dam are vital to regional communities and we look forward to bringing our expertise to the project,” said Kate Drews, SMEC ANZ chief executive officer (acting).
The design and construction will include the provision of allowances for natural fish migration and integrate circular economy principles, including the reuse of rock.
The improvements are required to meet acceptable flood capacity modelling guidelines revised by the Australian National Committee on Large Dams (ANCOLD).
Construction is expected to start in 2024, with key works expected to be completed in late 2025. Some ancillary works may be required to the end of 2026.
Lake Cressbrook is the proposed location for the new Big-T pumped storage hydro energy facility. Big-T will act as an extension to the national electrical grid by both producing and storing electricity. It will consist of a 400 MW pumped hydro energy storage facility (10 hours) and a 200 MW battery energy storage facility (1 hour).
