September 2020

Construction Update                                                                          

As you may already be aware, the lake at Ewen Maddock Dam has now been lowered to less than 60% for work to start on the embankment wall. This work is now well underway, with the project slightly ahead of schedule.

Together with Sunshine Coast-based local contractor Hall Contracting, Seqwater installed six siphons to safely release water. By using gravity and siphons in place of more traditional systems like diesel-fuelled pumps, carbon emissions have been reduced by about 235 tonnes. This approach, which was decided during the planning stages, also helped to reduce the length of the project and enable much of the embankment strengthening work to be completed within the dry season.

Horse float carpark

Seqwater has increased the size of the horse float carparking area by 25% at Maddock Park. The upgrade now means visitors towing a horse float can safely do a U-turn without entering the construction area. The additional space has also increased the number of carparks for multi-use trail users and includes new carparking, recreation and project information signage, delineation markers and fencing. 

Environment 

The Seqwater team has been closely watching for environmental impacts throughout the lake lowering using historical survey data and also a UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle, usually a drone). Riparian vegetation is still in very good health and water quality is being monitored for any impact on the health of foraging bird and aquatic species. Flora and fauna monitoring will continue during the construction lowering phase of this project.

Timing

This 18-month project is part of Seqwater’s Dam Improvement Program which will bring the dam in line with modern engineering design standards. The embankment work will also improve the existing beach and swimming area. Once work is complete, the lake will refill naturally to its normal capacity dependent on adequate rainfall across the catchment.

Work started in April 2020 and is expected to be complete in the second half of 2021, weather permitting.

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On-water recreation, including the designated swimming and beach area, will be closed as part of the upgrade project from Monday 30 March 2020.

Seqwater has implemented alternate access points to keep the multi-use trails around the lake open during the upgrade. Seqwater has also recently built a new horse float unloading area with Maddock Park to ensure continued access for horse riders during the upgrade.

Seqwater has significantly invested in the Ornamental wetlands picnic area, on Steve Irwin Way to help provide an alternate recreation location during the upgrade. We have recently installed pumps for the wetlands, upgraded picnic tables, resurfaced the access and parking facilities and installed a new toilet block near to the Brew haha Café to significantly enhance this area and make the wetlands a fantastic, picnic destination.

Natural Resources Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said the upgrades will now be delivered in two stages to minimise the closure of recreation areas. 

Read more.

For the safety of the public, all on-water recreation, access to the designated swimming area, general access to the multi-use trails from Maddock Park, and the recreational use of Maddock Park will be closed for the duration of the embankment work. Access to the multi-use trails from alternate locations will be maintained as Seqwater has recently modified the access points inclusive of a new horse float unloading area to ensure they can remain open during the upgrade.  The project has also recently invested in rejuvenating the wetlands picnic area on Steve Irwin Way. You can stay up-to-date with the progress of the Ewen Maddock Dam Safety Upgrade by subscribing to our e-updates below.

As a result, on-water recreation, including a designated swimming and beach area, will remain open until Seqwater finalises the new project timeline.

Seqwater has recently modified the access points to the multi-use trails around the lake to ensure they can remain open during the upgrade and rejuvenated the adjacent wetlands area.

Seqwater Chief Executive Officer Neil Brennan said unfortunately the tender process did not result in any viable tenders.

“Dam upgrades are highly technical and complex projects. We are now conducting a post tender review to better understand the response of potential contractors before re-issuing a tender for the project. The new tender will reflect the review process,’’ Mr Brennan said.

“The upgrade is part of Seqwater’s Dam Improvement Program designed to ensure SEQ dams can continue to perform safely into the future.

“Dams are large-scale public infrastructures and maintaining their safety is paramount,” Mr Brennan said.

“The upgrade of Ewen Maddock will increase the dam's resilience to extreme events and bring the dam in line with modern engineering design standards. The revised construction schedule will not increase any risks to dam safety.”

To undertake the upgrade safely the lake’s water level will need to be lowered to about 60 per cent of its full supply level.

During the upgrade, all on-water recreation, including the designated swimming and beach area, will be closed for the duration of the upgrade work. The closure will also extend to Maddock Park which will be required as a set down area for the project.

Once the new timeline for the project is finalised Seqwater will host a community event at the newly renovated wetlands area to update the local community.

Seqwater expects to issue a new tender before the end of the year. For more information about the Dam Improvement Program, visit www.seqwater.com.au/damimprovement.