ENHANCING THE BURDEKIN RIVER SYSTEM

Long Term Water Security

The Burdekin River System is one of the largest river systems in Australia. The Upper Burdekin catchment is located in the wet tropics.

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:

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.

Hells Gates Dam

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.

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.

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.

It will reduce sediment and nutrient loads to the Burdekin Dam due to the world leading land management and agricultural practices.

Expanding irrigated agriculture in the upper rather than the lower Burdekin Basin will provide additional buffering against pollutant exports to the Great Barrer Reef.

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).

Hydrogen Production

Hells Gates Dam would support the emerging hydrogen industry through the provision of raw water.

Green hydrogen is produced by taking renewable power, high purity water and converting to hydrogen and oxygen gas via electrolysis. The water requirement for green hydrogen is 9L of water per 1kg of hydrogen produced.

In December 2022, Townsville Enterprise commissioned a Hydrogen Opportunities Report from GHD to investigate the hydrogen potential for Hells Gates Dam. The report concluded if large volumes of water available at Hells Gates Dam were used for hydrogen production this would complement the NQH2 Hydrogen Cluster and enhance the opportunity for large scale hydrogen production in Townsville.

Hells Gates Dam would also provide the opportunity to accelerate the development of hydrogen export facilities in the region. In addition, given the large area of surrounding land at Hells Gates Dam, there could be an opportunity for a large-scale renewable energy development (e.g. solar) to support green hydrogen production.

BENEFITS:

The Hells Gates Dam Detailed Business Case confirmed the project will deliver the following benefits:

Have a Benefit Cost Ratio of 1.05 for the full scheme. Generate $6bn increase in GRP from agricultural projects, positively impacting the entire supply chain from the farm to the export terminals.

Provide long term water security and reliability for Townsville, Charters Towers and the surrounding regions. Positive outcomes for the Great Barrier Reef.

Indigenous jobs and new business opportunities. Create more than 10,000 jobs during construction and more than 3,000 ongoing jobs. These jobs would be highly skilled and high paid roles for generations.

The project would be one of Queensland’s largest irrigation schemes, with the largest dam and pressurised irrigation network.

FTE 5,500+ PERMANENT ONGOING JOBS

Open 60,000 hectares of prime agricultural land.

Double the value of crop production regionally which will result in the Burdekin Basin becoming the largest contributor to Queensland’s non-livestock agricultural output and account for an additional 3% of the total national annual crop production.

Interconnectedness with other projects including the Australian Singapore Military Training Centre, Port of Townsville and Townsville Airport upgrades to cater for agricultural exports and freight, and major transport initiatives.

Major infrastructure will be developed for the scheme, including enhanced and improved access to roads and energy.

Harnessing highest flow of Australian river resources to build long-term prosperity. Staged to optimise funding option.

$6BN