WATER & SOLVING THE GLOBAL FOOD CRISIS
VISIT OUR FAQ PAGE TO LEARN MORE
ENHANCING THE BURDEKIN RIVER SYSTEM LONG TERM WATER SECURITY
HELLS GATES DAM
The Burdekin River System is one of the largest river systems in Australia. The Upper Burdekin catchment is located in the wet tropics.
Hells Gates Dam is more than a Dam, it is a transformational project with generational benefits. It will support population growth, provide the water the country needs for green hydrogen production and unlock prime agricultural land to solve the global food crisis.
A HOLISTIC REVIEW OF THE BURDEKIN WATER PLAN AND NEW WATER INFRASTRUCTURE ARE KEY BECAUSE: Population has more than doubled since the Burdekin Dam was built in 1987. 73% of the rainfall occurs during the four-month wet season (December to March). 7.8 million megalitres flowing per year from the mouth of the Burdekin River. Water losses and unallocated water reserves exist in lower Burdekin. Climate change will see a shortening of rainfall period but the same amounts of rain which means additional infrastructure will be required. North Queensland’s water security is critical – droughts last approximately 8-10 years. Despite sustained periods of economic and population growth in North Queensland, there has been no increase in water storage capacity in more than three decades for the region. With the emerging Hydrogen industry, water security is critical.
UPPER AND LOWER BURDEKIN MUST WORK AS A COMBINED SYSTEM TO:
WHY HELLS GATES DAM? Hells Gates Dam and Irrigation Scheme presents a transformational economic development for Northern Australia, comprising of a unique agricultural project, that will double the value of crop production regionally utilising world leading land management and high-tech agriculture practises. Hells Gates Dam will be a key enabler for the region’s population growth and will open new industries such as hydrogen. Hells Gates Dam presents a unique opportunity for the optimal use of currently unused water allocations within the vast Burdekin catchment if both dams (and the new Big Rocks Weir) were operated as a combined system.
IMPACTS OF THE GREAT BARRIER REEF The business case revealed Hells Gates Dam will have positive outcomes for the Great Barrier Reef. I t will reduce sediment and nutrient loads to the Burdekin Dam due to the world leading land management and agricultural practices. E xpanding irrigated agriculture in the upper rather than the lower Burdekin Basin will provide additional buffering against pollutant exports to the Great Barrer Reef.
Be the most beneficial water storage system in Northern Australia harnessing water within legislative environmental flows. To ensure optimal use of the current unused water allocations within the vast Burdekin catchment. Maximise environmental flow impacts and water supply reliability for both new and existing water allocation holders. To future proof economic growth in North Queensland.
The proposed Hells Gates Dam is located approximately 120km north-west of Charters Towers and 160km north-west of Townsville. It is capable of storing 2,100GL of water and to irrigate 60,000 hectares of prime agricultural land.
WHAT WE NEED State Government support for water allocation for the project pathway to construction and to update the current Burdekin Water Plan to include Hells Gates Dam. $50 million from State or Federal Government to complete the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
26
TOWNSVILLE NORTH QUEENSLAND
State Funding
Federal Funding
State and/or Federal
Funding N/A
