Ongoing benefits to flow from Paluma Dam works

Townsville City Council has started work on a project that will boost the capacity of Paluma Dam by around 6600 megalitres or the equivalent of around 2,600 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

Council’s Water and Waste Committee chairman Russ Cook said the project, being undertaken by local contractor TEi Services, further enhanced Townsville’s water security.

“Paluma Dam is one of two drinking water storage facilities for our city. That’s why Townsville City Council is investing $550,000 to maintain and strengthen the dam so it can continue to serve the community well into the future,” Cr Cook said.

“Workers are currently on-site drilling anchor bars three metres into the hard rock to strengthen the concrete weir.

“Twenty-five large steel flashboards will also be installed which will increase the spillway height by 150mm.

“Each flashboard weighs more than 350 kilograms so they’ll be lifted into place by a large crane.

“To put the improvements in perspective, the upgrade of the 60 metre spillway will increase the dam’s capacity from 11,400 megalitres to almost 18,000 megalitres.”

Local councillor Margie Ryder said the dam supplies water to a growing part of the city.

“Paluma Dam provides water to the ever-growing northern beaches, so it’s an important asset for the city,” Cr Ryder said.

“This project is a smart investment in a dam that will provide water for many years to come.”

The project is expected to be completed next month.

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