BUILD NATHAN DAM
SECURING OUR WATER FUTURE TOGETHER
JOBS
WATER SECURITY
ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY
NATHAN DAM - CRITICAL WATER SECURITY TO PROTECT REGIONAL AUSTRALIA
There is proven demand for a new bulk water supply across the Southern and Central West regions. Long-term water security is essential for the continued growth of communities and productivity of the Western Downs. Western Downs communities have exhausted existing ground water leases and reuse opportunities to fortify economic growth and support future population growth.
Incremental expansion of existing water supply schemes and infrastructure will not provide the reliable water supply needed to maintain growth in the region and support the close to 35,000 Queenslanders who live in the region. Water powers our people, regions and economic success in a net zero world.
Nathan Dam is the missing link.
DELIVERING THE QLD ENERGY & JOBS PLAN
The Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan designates the Western Downs region as a pivotal location in the Southern Renewable Energy Zone, driving the first phase of development and the State’s energy transformation.
The Western Downs has a diversified energy portfolio with thermal coal, gas, wind, solar, and a hydrogen production trial under way. Three new renewable energy technology projects to be developed in the Western Downs region are at advanced stages of assessment.
Collectively, the water demand for these three projects (6-8GL/annum) will exceed the future supply capacity from new water sources identified in the Southern and Darling Downs Regional Water Assessment (6.5GL/annum). These projects will create 2300 jobs during construction and 725 permanent operational jobs.
Nathan Dam is fundamental to support the successful implementation of the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan.
The Western Downs region is the ENERGY CAPITAL OF QLD powering more than 2 MILLION Australians every single day. 24 approved solar farms, two thermal coal mines, two fully operational wind farms, hydrogen energy trial underway.
NATHAN DAM - UNLOCKING OPPORTUNITY, GROWING REGIONAL AUSTRALIA
The availability of secure water supply derived from Nathan Dam will enable new growth in intensive agriculture opportunities, currently on hold, such as large and small beast meat processors, protein extraction plant and large cattle feedlots. These developments will create 500-600 permanent jobs in the Western Downs region.
Nathan Dam is the best infrastructure solution to provide long-term water security to the Western Downs and Central West regions providing a reliable supply of water to enable the Queensland Government’s Energy and Jobs Plan through delivery of energy transformation projects.
It is also the best infrastructure solution to provide long-term water security to the communities of Chinchilla and Dalby.
Located around 36km north-east of Taroom on the Dawson River, Nathan Dam will increase Queensland’s water storage capacity by 888,312ML to make it the fourth largest storage in the area, next to Burdekin Falls, Fairbairn and Wivenhoe.
The capacity and location of Nathan Dam brings significant economic opportunities across regions and opens up the Southern and Central West regions to grow while enabling flood mitigation to the Dawson and Fitzroy catchments and water security to Banana Shire and the Western Downs.
