Seqwater has achieved a key milestone as it looks to shore up North Pine Dam, one of south-east Queensland’s key drinking water supply assets.
The North Pine Dam staged strengthening project has commenced construction, with drilling underway by contractor SRG Global Civil to install a trial anchor in one of the dam wall’s concrete monoliths.
This will pave the way for 54 permanent post-tensioned anchors, including some of the largest anchors in the world, to be installed into the dam wall.
Seqwater said this is part of a commitment to keeping water a safe and reliable resource for those living in south-east Queensland.
“The North Pine Dam improvement and staged strengthening project is being carried out to bring the dam up to modern engineering standards, ensuring it continues to provide water security for generations to come,” the bulk water supply authority said.
Alongside 54 post-tensioned anchors, ranging from 39–101m long, the North Pine Dam strengthening project will add about 75,000 tonnes of effective weight to the dam wall, with 246km of high-tensile steel strand used for the project.
Seqwater said while most work will be completed during the day, some activities may continue outside of standard hours, including nights and Sundays, for safety and construction reasons.
Over $69 million has been committed to the North Pine Dam staged strengthening project, which is supporting approximately 50 jobs on-site.
“North Pine Dam plays an important role in the SEQ water grid and supplies drinking water for the people of north Brisbane and Moreton Bay,” Seqwater executive general manager infrastructure, planning and capital delivery, Sarah Dixon, said.
“While North Pine Dam continues to operate safely under normal conditions, the North Pine Dam improvement project will ensure the dam meets modern engineering and design standards.”
Other planned developments at North Pine Dam include raising the dam wall, raising the saddle dams, and upgrading the spillway and gates. Seqwater is putting forward a detailed business case to support such improvement works at the dam precinct.
