The Burdekin Falls Dam Improvement and Raising projects will improve the dam's long-term viability, increasing its resilience to extreme weather events, while the proposal to raise the existing dam by two metres will increase water supply in the Burdekin and surrounding region. The projects will bring the dam in line with modern engineering design standards and ensure it meets the safety requirements set out in the Water Supply (Safety and Reliability) Act 2008 (Qld).

Sunwater expects to submit a draft of the environmental impact statement (EIS), required for the dam raising, to the Queensland Coordinator-General (CG) in 2023. The CG will release a draft EIS for public review and comment once satisfied Sunwater has adequately met the EIS Terms of Reference. Pending approval of the EIS, Sunwater will finalise a detailed business case with inputs from the EIS and the Queensland Government will then consider an investment decision to progress the project.

Sunwater has hosted industry briefings in Brisbane and Townsville. A video recording and slides are available on Sunwater's website.

INVESTIGATION AND PLANNING FOR ENABLING WORKS

The next stage of planning includes progressing engineering design, collecting more detailed geotechnical information, procurement and consulting with key stakeholders and the community to progress the EIS.

While the EIS is underway, Sunwater has commenced early planning of enabling works to support construction activity on the dam in the years ahead.

These include installing new water and wastewater treatment plants, resource extraction areas and associated access tracks, road works, a workers' accommodation village, a helipad, power and telecommunications. A range of environmental, cultural heritage and planning approvals are required for these works and targeted meetings have commenced regarding potential impacts and opportunities.

Sunwater will ensure local businesses can tender for work generated by the project. As a Government Owned Corporation, Sunwater will ensure government requirements and best practice are followed to maximise the participation of local businesses. Further information will be shared as the project progresses.

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

Sunwater encourages local businesses interested in supplying to the project to register a general expression of interest (EOI) through the ICN Gateway webpage. Information on specific supply opportunities will be communicated on the ICN Gateway project page as it becomes available, with local industry able to register its interest against them.

Please ensure that:

• Your company profile on the ICN Gateway is complete, up-to-date, and accurate including electing to be notified via e-mail of supply opportunities.
• You register your interest as a full or partial scope supplier (where applicable), and
• You respond to all project and work package-specific questions.

It is important that businesses submitting an EOI are aware their submission does not guarantee they will progress further in the procurement process. Only suppliers that can demonstrate capability and capacity in accordance with Sunwater's requirements will be invited to pre-qualify for specific opportunities.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Sunwater encourages local industry to contact ICN Queensland in the first instance to improve their understanding of the EOI process.

Sunwater's primary contact is:

Andrew Blacklock

Principal Procurement Advisor

Phone: 07 3120 0074

bfdprocurement@sunwater.com.au