Lake Macdonald Dam Safety Upgrade Project impacts

The Lake Macdonald Dam Safety Upgrade is Water level expected to have a range of impacts on the local The water level in Lake Macdonald will need to be lowered to about five community and natural environment. per cent of its current full supply level a few months before work can is seeking community feedback on the potential begin for the safety of those working on the dam and living downstream. impacts and ways to mitigate them. To find out This is about five to six metres lower than the water level is when the lake is full. In much of the upper catchment of the lake, the lowering will more about the project and have your say, visit result in levels like the original Six Mile Creek before the dam was built. yourseqwater.com.au Water levels remaining will be mostly contained to the area near the dam wall.

A temporary coffer dam structure will be built to hold back the water About the upgrade remaining in the lake during construction. It’s important to remember this Lake Macdonald Dam – also known as Six Mile Creek Dam – is one is a temporary measure for dam safety. Once the upgrade is complete, of several dams in South East to be upgraded as part of the coffer dam will be removed, and the dam will be allowed to naturally Seqwater’s Dam Improvement Program over the next five years. At refill to its original full supply level (8,018 ML). Seqwater, some of the dams we operate were built decades ago, and just like cars, they need regular maintenance to keep them in good Natural environment working order and meet changing safety standards and guidelines. The lake lowering and construction works will have impacts on the flora This is the first major upgrade of Lake Macdonald Dam since the and fauna both in and around the lake. wall was raised in 1980 and will involve building a new spillway and reconstructing the existing earth embankments to better protect the dam A range of studies are being completed to identify the species of aquatic against earthquakes and extreme floods. At this stage, construction is fauna in the lake including those of conservation significance such as the expected to start in mid to late 2019, subject to approvals, and will take Mary River cod, Australian lungfish, Mary River turtle, white-throated up to two years to complete. snapping turtle, and platypus. Seqwater will be developing a comprehensive environmental management plan, in consultation with key stakeholders, outlining the 0 measures required to minimise the impact on the natural environment. 250m This will include an initial aquatic fauna relocation and recovery 89m* (2.8% FSL) 90m* (7.5% FSL) program. Seqwater will aim to relocate aquatic species, in particular * Australian Height Datum those of conservation significance, before construction begins and Full Supply Level (FSL) = 8,018 megalitres populations of these species will be re-established in the lake after construction is completed.

The water lowering and construction works may also affect fauna living around the lake, but it’s expected they will adapt to the temporary changes and re-establish once construction is complete. For example, aquatic birdlife may seek alternative water bodies in the region with similar habitats and is expected to return once the water level in the lake returns to normal.

Recreation

Lake Macdonald will be temporarily closed to all on-water recreation while the water is lowered.

There are alternative places for recreation available in the Noosa area including Lake Cootharaba, Lake Weyba and Lake Cooroibah. (about 30km from Lake Macdonald) and (about 50km from Lake Macdonald) are other options if you’re willing to travel a bit further. The Noosa River also offers another option for water-based activities. Once the upgrade is complete, Lake Macdonald will be re-opened for recreational use.

In addition, there will be several parks and facilities closed to recreation around the lake during construction such as Mary River Cod Park and minimise the local traffic impacts where possible such as optimising traffic Camp Cooroora off Collwood Road, and Lake Macdonald Park off Lake movements to site and avoiding local peak traffic periods. Macdonald Drive. The Noosa Botanic Gardens on Lake Macdonald Drive Any feedback we receive will be used to develop traffic management will remain open. plans, which will be made available to the local community in the lead up Access to the Noosa trail network, north of the lake, will be restricted to construction. during the construction period. Seqwater is currently working with Noosa Shire Council to identify alternative access points where possible. Horse Noise floats will not be permitted to park at Mary River Cod Park during the construction period. Neighbours should expect increased noise at various times during construction. Construction activities will include, but are not limited to, Bird watchers who use the Fernley Bird Hide at Jabiru Park will find as demolition works, concrete batching and pouring, rock breaking, drilling, the water level lowers, birds will find alternative habitats. Bird watchers piling, excavating and stockpiling of raw materials. Most work will be who enjoy using this hide can access similar habitat at Lake Cootharaba conducted Monday to Friday, however weekend work may be required (Boreen Point) or Lake Cooroybah. at times. Working hours are likely to be between 6:00am and 6:00pm, subject to approvals. Traffic

We expect construction traffic will need to use Elm Street, Lake Macdonald Drive, Sivyers, Gumboil and Collwood Roads to access the construction areas. Due to the limited space available at the site, there To find out more will be two main areas cordoned off for construction – one at the spillway on Lake Macdonald Drive and one at the end of Collwood Road. Visit yourseqwater.com.au/lake-macdonald-dam-upgrade e [email protected] p 1800 902 294 We do not expect any roads to be permanently closed during the construction period, however there may be temporary changes to traffic facebook.com/seqwater @Seqwater conditions at times for the safety of road users. There are also no plans to widen roads for the project, however we will be looking at ways to