Media | State News

Auditor-General exposes dam-ing report into dam safety

9th December 2021

Queensland’s Auditor-General has exposed major flaws with the State Government's management of dams and how it has failed to meet compliance and safety issues.

The report tabled in State Parliament, is scathing of the State Government’s approach to dam management and confirms what the Opposition has been raising for years.

It exposes significant gaps in information gathering, systems, monitoring and enforcement practices that limit the government's effectiveness as a regulator.

The report recommends changes to the government’s regulatory framework and approach to dam safety.

Shadow Minister for Water and the Construction of Dams Deb Frecklington slammed the findings and said it showed how the government was losing control of its core responsibilities.

“These governance issues identified by the Auditor General show the government is gambling with Queenslanders’ safety and the future of water security,” Ms Frecklington said.

“At a time when Queensland is experiencing rapid population growth, the government should be focused on building new dams to meet future demand.

“Instead, this report shows very clearly the government is failing to maintain the few dams they currently have.

“What hope do we have for future water security when the Premier and her Water Minister can’t even manage our current water assets, let alone plan to build more.

“The fish rots from the head, and these failings must be addressed by the Premier and her Minister.”

Ms Frecklington said the report comes as Wide Bay locals desperately await the release of a detailed business case into the future of Paradise Dam, which had its capacity reduced due to alleged safety concerns.