Nullinga Dam and Mareeba Dimbulah Water Supply Scheme Improvements

Building Queensland led the development of the Nullinga Dam and Mareeba Dimbulah Water Supply Scheme Improvements Detailed Business Case in partnership with Sunwater.

The business case provides a robust assessment of the opportunities and challenges of increasing water availability in support of potential future agricultural demand in the Mareeba Dimbulah Water Supply Scheme.

The business case investigated improving the Mareeba Dimbulah Water Supply Scheme rules and operation, and upgrading the existing Arriga and East Barron Channels. An in-depth analysis of the design and construction of Nullinga Dam was also undertaken.

The business case analysis reveals construction of the proposed Nullinga Dam is neither financially or economically viable. The proposed Nullinga Dam site is located in a poor performing catchment requiring a costly build solution. To construct a dam that would meet identified demand would require an extended and costly construction program relative to the volume of water that would be available.

The detailed business case was completed in June 2019.

View a summary of the Nullinga Dam and Mareeba Dimbulah Water Supply Scheme Improvements Detailed Business Case, including cost benefit analysis.