$69m to strengthen dam wall

North Pine Dam, which stores drinking water for Moreton Bay and north Brisbane, will undergo more than $69 million of strengthening work.

The staged works, to start next year, will see the installation of more than 60 post-tensioned anchors into the dam wall.

Anchors will range from 42-94 metres in length and add up to 100,000 tonnes of weight into the wall ahead of major planned dam upgrades.

Geotechnical drilling started in October 2023 as part of the pre-planning and investigation phase to inform the Options Analysis.

SMEC has the contract for the strengthening detailed design and procurement is underway for a contractor to deliver the works.

The 2024-25 State Budget has $14.24 million for early and preparatory work for SEQwater's North Pine Dam Improvement Project.

“North Pine Dam will be upgraded to ensure the dam can continue to withstand extreme weather events into the future,” State Minister for Water Glenn Butcher said.

“While North Pine Dam continues to operate safely, dam design, engineering standards and knowledge of weather and flood risks, have evolved since it was constructed in 1976.

“The Queensland Government is investing more than $69 million into strengthening works, delivering enhanced safety benefits and to support the future upgrade.

Seqwater Interim CEO, Will Harpham said: “These strengthening works will deliver enhanced safety benefits at North Pine Dam as part of Seqwater’s Dam Improvement Program.

State Members Nikki Boyd (Pine Rivers), Chris Whiting (Bancroft) and Shane King (Kurwongbah) welcomed the upgrade and support of 30 jobs.

Seqwater will host community information sessions in July and August to provide more details of the work.

North Pine Dam has had a reduced capacity of 68 per cent since 2019 under the Dam Improvement Project. This will remain until is completed.