Kuranda Weir Recovery Project
Published: 07 February, 2024
Updated: 15 January, 2025
When ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper crossed the Queensland coast in December 2023, the weather system impacted many North Queensland communities and essential service infrastructure, including CleanCo’s Barron Gorge Hydroelectric Power Station.
Extremely high water levels in the Barron River caused significant damage to critical infrastructure at the Kuranda Weir which stores water required for power generation. As a result, the Barron Gorge Power Station was rendered inoperable.
Throughout 2024, CleanCo worked to successfully complete the following critical infrastructure repairs:
- Make the site safe
- Construct a temporary rock wall (coffer dam) to allow safe access to rebuild the weir embankment and enable operations to resume at the power station (Phase A)
- Resume operations at the power station
- Construct a weather resilient, permanent concrete wall to replace the earthen embankment (Phase B).
Phase A and B of the permanent rebuild at Kuranda Weir are now complete. The new concrete wall marks a significant step in strengthening the weir’s resilience and ensuring the reliability of the Barron Gorge Hydro Power Station.
With this phase of construction of the wall now complete, any safety risks associated with activities in the bed and banks of the Barron River have been resolved.
Phase C
- Phase C will involve designing and constructing all remaining elements necessary to complete the site. This will involve considerable planning, design and construction work.
- We are working with engineers and planners from GHD to design the permanent site.
- Phase C construction is planned for the second half of 2025
Recovery
We are working closely with authorities including the Wet Tropics Management Authority, Department of Resources and the Department of Development, Manufacturing and Water. We are also working alongside Traditional Owners, the Djabugay People, who are monitoring the project and providing cultural heritage advice.
Contact
If you have any concerns or would like more information, please contact CleanCo directly at info@cleancoqld.com.au or community@cleancoqld.com.au
Previous project updates
Throughout 2024, CleanCo worked to successfully complete the following critical infrastructure repairs:
- Make the site safe
- Construct a temporary rock wall (coffer dam) to allow safe access to rebuild the weir embankment and enable operations to resume at the power station (Phase A)
- Resume operations at the power station
- Construct a weather resilient, permanent concrete wall to replace the earthen embankment (Phase B).