Waterway barrier works in dams and weirs

Emergency works

Urgent and immediate works on dams and weirs that are required to address an imminent threat to safety or structural integrity can be carried out under emergency works exemptions in section 166 of the Planning Act 2016.

Accepted development

Requirements

Accepted development requirements can authorise the following works:

  • minor like-for-like repairs to existing dams and weirs
  • new dams and weirs in waterways classified as green in the Queensland waterways for waterway barrier works mapping
  • waterway barrier works related to prescribed water storage infrastructure (see ‘Prescribed water storage infrastructure’)
  • waterway barrier works related to pumped hydro energy storage (see ‘Pumped hydro energy storage’).

Other permits, licences and approvals

If a project is accepted development for waterway barrier works it does not remove the need for other permits, licences or approvals for the works, including the assessment of impacts on listed threatened species under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 or Environment, Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

Prescribed water storage infrastructure

Waterway barrier works related to prescribed water storage infrastructure listed in the Planning Regulation 2017 are accepted development and do not require a development application.

The dams and weirs listed in the Regulation have been assessed and it has been determined that fish passage infrastructure would provide limited environmental benefit or would make the proposed works economically unviable.

    • Burdekin Falls Dam on the Burdekin River
    • Cooranga Weir on the Boyne River
    • Copperlode Falls Dam on Freshwater Creek
    • Cressbrook Creek Dam on Cressbrook Creek
    • Fairbairn Dam on Nogoa River
    • Fred Haigh Dam on Kolan River
    • Gordonbrook Dam on the Stuart River
    • Jandowae Dam on Jandowae Creek
    • Kroombit Dam on Kroombit Creek
    • Lake Dennis Dam at Priest Gully
    • Lake MacDonald Dam on Six Mile Creek
    • McKinnon Creek Detention Basin on McKinnon Creek
    • Middle Creek Dam on Middle Creek
    • Moody Creek Detention Basin No 1 on Moody Creek
    • Moody Creek Detention Basin No 1A on Moody Creek
    • Mount Morgan Water Supply - No. 7 Dam on the Dee River
    • North Pine Dam on the North Pine River
    • Rifle Creek Dam on Rifle Creek
    • Somerset Dam on the Stanley River
    • Swanbank Cooling Water Dam on Oaky Creek
    • Tinaroo Falls Dam on the Barron River
    • Wivenhoe Dam on the Brisbane River.

Pumped hydro energy storage

Waterway barrier works related to pumped hydro energy storage are accepted development under the Planning Regulation 2017 and do not require a development application.

While there is no requirement for fish passage, pumped hydro projects should be designed to ensure that fish, to the best extent possible, are prevented from entering pumping infrastructure.

Methods used to exclude fish from pump intake areas include:

  • physical screens that actively or passively prevent fish entry
  • behavioural barriers that discourage fish from entering.

The most appropriate method, or combination of methods, for pumped hydro projects will depend on the flow speed generated by the pumping infrastructure, the type of fish in the area and environmental factors.

If you need help to identify potential risks and solutions associated with pumped hydro projects (we provide advice to the Office of the Coordinator-General during the development of environmental impact statements), email planningassessment@dpi.qld.gov.au.

New dams and weirs

The construction of new dams and weirs within a waterway is waterway barrier works.

If waterway barrier works related to a new dam or weir is not accepted development, you will need to apply for development approval.

Your development application must comply with State code 18 – Construction or raising of waterway barrier works, under the State Development Assessment Provisions (SDAP).

An important application performance outcome to meet is that the development provides adequate fish passage through a:

  • bidirectional fishway(s) at the location of impact, or
  • net benefit to fish passage at the other existing barrier location(s).

This improves fish passage within the same or similar catchments as the proposed development and provides flexibility to ensure projects remain economically viable.

SDAP guideline for waterway barrier works

The SDAP guideline for waterway barrier works is being revised and will be updated shortly to provide guidance on economic feasibility and how to provide a net benefit to fish passage.

Email planningassessment@dpi.qld.gov.au for advice.

Enquiries