Rookwood Weir has again been recognised for its construction standards and sustainability practices, being shortlisted as a finalist in the Planning and Infrastructure category for the 2023 Queensland Premier’s Awards for Excellence.
The nomination acknowledges the project’s commitment to delivering a safe and secure water supply and creating more jobs in regional Queensland, said Minister for Water, Glenn Butcher.
“The Queensland Labor Government invested in this project because we knew it would transform Central Queensland and generate more jobs in more industries,” he said.
“Not only is the weir the biggest in the nation since World War 2, and the biggest bulk water asset the country has seen in over a decade, but these awards show it’s one of the best projects of its kind in the world. That is truly an amazing achievement. We certainly don’t do anything by half measures here in Queensland.
“These awards are a feather in the cap for all the staff that had a role in this important Central Queensland project.”
It is the project’s third major accolade. The project was named joint winner of the Queensland Major Contractors Association’s Project of the Year Over $100 million Award in early 2024; for best-practice weir design and delivery.
In 2023, the Infrastructure Sustainability Council awarded Rookwood Weir an “excellent” rating after evaluating economic, social and environmental performance during its design phase.
This was the first time a weir in Australia or New Zealand was certified for an Infrastructure Sustainability Rating and recognised the project’s focus on habitat connectivity, energy savings and local employment and training.
Minister Butcher said the award-winning Weir will provide water to 25 customers, unlocking more agricultural produce and jobs. One of the Weir’s customers is Lush Lychees, who say the water from the weir will enable the business to plant 4,000 new lychee trees at their South Yaamba property.
Expanding their orchard to 9,000 trees will enable the business to hire up to two permanent employees and an additional 30 casual picking staff.
“This water allocation from Rookwood Weir is vital for the growth of our business. We’re able to expand our lychee production and explore the production of new horticulture crops as well as improving the irrigation of our dryland cropping using structures like pivots,” said Lush Lychees owner, Krystal Caton.
