General News
2 September, 2025
Stern Treasurer steps in to bail out some of TRC’s multi-million dollar Cressbrook Dam bills
Queensland Treasurer David Janetzki has announced the Government will invest $54 million towards Toowoomba Regional Council’s Cressbrook Dam Safety Improvement Project, which will help deliver a long-awaited mandatory upgrade of the asset’s spillways.
It will help enhance the safety of the dam wall for downstream communities during major flooding events by enabling a greater volume of outflow via an expanded spillway, as well as providing better dam monitoring systems.
The improvements will secure the key source of the region’s water supply, which is one of three dams servicing more than 180,000 residents.
The investment comprises roughly 20 per cent of the Council’s estimated $266.1 million cost to complete the project.
Treasurer and Member for Toowoomba South David Janetzki said the investment would help the council deliver on its legislated obligations.
“This project has been known to the Toowoomba Regional Council for more than 15 years, but it has failed to properly prepare and budget for the project,” Mr Janetzki said.
“The former Labor Government also failed to act.
“Council has recently taken proactive steps to budget and seek additional funding to support their construction efforts and the state’s contribution will now empower them to deliver the upgrade and secure our region’s water future.”
Mr Janetzki said the safety upgrades would also support the progression of Stanwell’s proposed Big T pumped hydro project at Cressbrook Dam.
“This investment also complements the state budget investment of $38.1 million to progress ongoing development of the Big T project, which is being developed in partnership with the private sector,” he said.
A relieved Toowoomba Region Mayor Geoff McDonald has expressed his gratitude to the State Government for its commitment of $54 million towards the Project.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” he said.
"This announcement is welcome news and will make a significant impact on this critical project and, importantly, will help us manage our financial sustainability more effectively for the betterment of our residents.
“On behalf of our entire community I wish to express our deepest gratitude to the Queensland Premier, Treasurer, Water Minister and all the State Government for coming to the aid of our residents.
“This project isn’t just about the safety for our Region, but also for the safety of those residents who live downstream of the dam and may be impacted if there was a catastrophic failure.
“I understand some people will question why it appears Council hasn’t set aside funding for this project in previous years; however, the reality is we’ve had a number of critical projects that were required to be delivered.
“Projects such as the Mount Kynoch water treatment plant upgrade (the water supply for the majority of the Toowoomba Region), the Perseverance raw water main replacement, the Cressbrook pump station electrical replacement and the new Clifton water treatment plant and bore are all examples of critical infrastructure that couldn’t be delayed and, in turn, impacted our ability to begin the spillway upgrade any sooner.”
