Construction of the Rockwood Weir is nearing completion as the last of the project’s 13 monoliths is now in place, leaving only final concrete work.
Each of the weir’s monoliths measures 16.2m in height and 15.5m wide creating a curved top for water to flow over the weir.
More than 129,500m³ of the required 131,000m³ of concrete has now been poured, meaning the weir component of the project is now 98 per cent complete.
The final concrete element, which will protect the weir structure from erosion, will be completed in the following weeks.
Construction of Rookwood Weir occurs around the clock. Most of the concrete for the weir structure has been placed in the evenings and early hours of the morning, where favourable temperatures and conditions allow the concrete to cure slowly.
With the spillway complete, the weir can now store any significant inflows it receives from the upstream Lower Fitzroy River catchment.
A workforce of 140 remain onsite to complete the weir, including placing the final 1,500m³ of concrete and finishing the electrical and mechanical components of the fish lock and turtle passage.
Sunwater CEO, Glenn Stockton, said that with the spillway now complete, the team’s focus is on finalising the last of the weir’s concrete requirements and the remaining electrical components of the fish lock and turtle passage.
“The team on-site for the final pour were excited to see the last of the weir’s spillway completed and the remaining 1,500m³ will be placed in the coming weeks,” Mr Stockton said.
“We look forward to completing the project and seeing the first water for customers available in 2024, after wet commissioning of the weir’s infrastructure.”
Federal Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek, said that the Government is committed to delivering secure and reliable water to Central Queensland.
“Rookwood Weir is a vital part of achieving that,” Ms Plibersek said.
“This is an important step that brings us close to the completion of the project and allows any significant rainfall to begin being captured. It’s a big win for the community.”
Queensland Minister for Water, Glenn Butcher, said that when complete, Rookwood Weir will be the biggest weir built in Australia since World War Two.
“Rookwood Weir is a job generating project that will deliver water security and economic growth to this region for years to come,” Mr Butcher said.
“At its peak this project had 325 workers onsite and, I’m proud to say, it also delivered opportunities for 30 apprentices and trainees which is fantastic.
“This is another example of how the Queensland Government’s $5.2 billion investment in water infrastructure is delivering jobs and water security for Queensland.
“I am looking forward to being back here soon to celebrate completion of this region shaping project.”
Rockhampton MP, Barry O’Rourke, said that this marks the homestretch of an important project for the future of water security in Central Queensland.
“More than $250 million has been spent locally to deliver this significant project and it has created hundreds of jobs and also important opportunities for apprentices and trainees,” Mr O’Rourke said.
“The economic benefits construction of this weir have provided to the region are clear and, once complete, it will continue to deliver jobs and economic growth to Central Queensland well into the future.”
