- Rookwood Weir (Managibei Gamu) in the running for its third major award
- Project a finalist for Premier's Awards for Excellence
- Weir customers like Lush Lychees set to benefit - investigating opportunities to expand operations
- Wet commissioning activities continue as customers prepare to access water
Rookwood Weir has again been recognised for its high construction standards and sustainability practices, being shortlisted as a finalist in the Planning and Infrastructure category for the 2023 Premier's Awards for Excellence.
The nomination acknowledges the project's commitment to delivering a safe and secure water supply and creating more jobs in regional Queensland.
This is the project's third major accolade. The project was named joint winner of the Queensland Major Contractors Association's Project of the Year Over $100M Award in early 2024; for best-practice weir design and delivery.
In 2023, the Infrastructure Sustainability Council awarded Rookwood Weir an "excellent" rating after evaluating economic, social and environmental performance during its design phase.
This was the first time a weir in Australia or New Zealand was certified for an Infrastructure Sustainability Rating and recognised the project's focus on habitat connectivity, energy savings and local employment and training.
The award-winning Weir will provide water to 25 customers, unlocking more agricultural produce and jobs. One of the Weir's customers is Lush Lychees, who say the water from the weir will enable the business to plant 4,000 new lychee trees at their South Yaamba property.
Expanding their orchard to 9,000 trees will enable the business to hire up to two permanent employees and an additional 30 casual picking staff.
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek:
"I am thrilled that Rookwood Weir is in the running for the Premier's Awards for Excellence.
"This project was no easy task, so this nomination is a real credit to the dedication and hard work of the project team.
"Seeing the real, on the ground benefits for local growers such as Lush Lychees is proof of the impact this project will continue to have in the region.
"Rookwood Weir is playing a vital role in delivering secure and reliable water for Central Queensland as well as supporting the local economy and providing jobs for future generations."
Quotes attributable to Queensland Minister for Water, Glenn Butcher:
"The Queensland Labor Government invested in this project because we knew it would transform Central Queensland and generate more jobs in more industries.
"Not only is the weir the biggest in the nation since World War 2, and the biggest bulk water asset the country has seen in over a decade, but these awards show it's one of the best projects of its kind in the world. That is truly an amazing achievement. We certainly don't do anything by half measures here in Queensland.
"One thing's for sure – if you want water infrastructure, if you want regional jobs – it's only the Labor party that can deliver for Central Queensland.
"These awards are a feather in the cap for all the staff that had a role in this important Central Queensland project."
Quotes attributable to Member for Rockhampton, Barry O'Rourke:
"It has been fantastic to witness this Central Queensland project come to life and we can now look forward to the water from the weir contributing to the future prosperity of the region.
"It's great to hear from growers large and small about how water from Rookwood is helping them grow their businesses and create new jobs. This project will transform our region and I'm not surprised it has received so many accolades.
"Only Labor delivers for Central Queensland. I'm proud to see the Weir creating construction jobs, agriculture jobs, food manufacturing jobs, Sunwater jobs – so many jobs for Rockhampton and all of Central Queensland."
Quotes attributable to Member for Keppel, Brittany Lauga:
"I'm proud to see Rookwood creating more jobs in Central Queensland and it is exciting to see this new dawn for high-value agriculture in our region.
"This Labor government is delivering for Central Queensland through vital water security projects like Rookwood Weir, the Mount Morgan Pipeline, Fitzroy to Gladstone Pipeline and the many projects funding through Building our Regions. All are part of the Miles Government's $5.8 billion investment in water infrastructure since 2015.
"At a time when the LNP are talking about themselves, nuclear power and who knows what, we're continuing to get on with the job of delivering infrastructure to Central Queensland."
Quotes attributable to Sunwater CEO, Glenn Stockton:
"It's pleasing to see the Rookwood Weir project team receiving recognition for all their efforts over the past few years, overcoming a range of challenges to design and deliver a world-class water storage.
"Sunwater would like to acknowledge the dedication and support of our Alliance partners - ACCIONA, GHD and McCosker Contracting Pty Ltd – with whom we share the opportunity to bring prosperity to regional Queensland."
Quotes attributable to Lush Lychees owner, Krystal Caton:
"This water allocation from Rookwood Weir is vital for the growth of our business. We're able to expand our lychee production and explore the production of new horticulture crops as well as improving the irrigation of our dryland cropping using structures like pivots.
"The planting of 4,000 new lychee trees has boosted our orchard to 9,000 trees which is impressive for a lychee farm!
"We will be able to create new jobs during planting, pivot construction and for harvest periods. We anticipate hiring an additional 30 casual picking staff and several permanent employees.
"This allocation will significantly help expand our business by making it drought-proof and enhancing sustainability."
Further Information:
Rookwood Weir was completed in late 2024 and thanks to good rain over the catchment late last year and early this year, has already filled and spilled, bringing the weir closer to formal commissioning.
Wet commissioning activities at the weir continue and finalisation of these and some environmental approvals will enable Sunwater to provide customers with water from the weir.
Landholders successful in Rookwood Weir water sales are also in the process of completing contractual requirements before finalising their water entitlements to access water from the weir.
