FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- What is Hinze Dam Stage 3?
- When will the Stage 3 project finish?
- How will boating, fishing, and general recreation activities be affected during construction and for how long?
- Will water supply be affected during construction?
- I understand Advancetown Road will be used as the primary access road for construction of the dam expansion. How will the Hinze Dam Alliance manage impacts associated with increased traffic volumes?
- Will Advancetown Road be upgraded to cope with the change in vehicle types using the road?
- How will increased noise levels be managed during construction activity?
- What will be done to ensure dust levels during construction are minimised?
- What happens if damage to houses occurs during construction as a result of blasting and ground vibration?
- Why is an Alliance the preferred approach to deliver the project?
- How will the Stage 3 project help with flood mitigation?
- Why do we need water supply if desalination and the Wivenhoe pipeline are being progressed?
- Has a formal consultation process been undertaken?
- How can I find out more about the Hinze Dam Stage 3 project?
- When will the Stage 3 project finish?
The Hinze Dam Stage 3 project aims to reduce flooding in the lower Nerang River catchment, increase water supply to Hinze Dam to 225 million litres per day, and ensure the dam complies with new safety standards and guidelines.
In December 2003 the Nerang River Flood Mitigation Advisory Committee recommended that Council raise the Hinze Dam as the preferred physical flood mitigation option for the Nerang River Catchment. Following this decision, Council expanded the scope of the project in November 2004 to include additional water storage, in line with Gold Coast Waterfuture project recommendations.
As a consequence, the project will reduce the number of existing properties affected in the Nerang River catchment in a one in 100 year flood by providing additional flood storage capacity.
The project will make the Hinze Dam compliant with State Government changes to dam infrastructure legislation that was passed in 2001, to ensure that the dam maintains its integrity even under the most extreme flood conditions that could reasonably be expected to occur in the dam catchment.
The Stage 3 project is being delivered by the Hinze Dam Alliance comprising Seqwater, Sinclair Knight Merz, Thiess Pty Ltd and URS.
2. When will the Stage 3 project finish?The Hinze Dam Alliance is now delivering a safe flood management solution and increased water storage for the Gold Coast Community .
Early site preparation work began in late 2007 and construction commenced in January 2008. Construction of the dam wall and spillway has been completed. The site
rehabilitation, internal roadwork and parklands and barbecue areas are currently underway and the site is due to open in mid this year, weather dependent. 3. How will boating, fishing and general recreation activities be affected during construction and for how long?Access to recreation activities that fall within 100 metres of the construction zone near the dam wall is closed.
Due to this partial dam closure, it is necessary to restrict certain activities that fall within the construction zone, including:
- picnicking near the dam wall
- mountain biking
- walking, horse riding or cycling near the dam wall
- launching boats from boat ramps near the dam wall
- events such as rowing and dragon boat racing
Activities that occur in the upper reaches of the dam, such as horse riding, walking and mountain biking will remain unaffected by construction activities except near the upper intake tower .
The upper reaches of Hinze Dam remain open to water-based activities throughout construction. Due to the boat access closure at the lower end of the dam , the Alliance has upgraded boat access to the upper eastern arms of the dam. We have also constructed two new boat ramps, one on the eastern side and one on the western reach of the dam . However, these new boat ramps will remain closed until the water levels increase.
Boating and fishing activities remain open at the upper reaches of the Hinze Dam and during construction are accessible via Nerang-Murwillumbah Road (western reach) and Little Nerang Road (eastern reach) .
4. Will water supply be affected during construction?No. The Stage 3 project has been undertaken in such a way as to mitigate any impact on water supply. Most construction work on the dam wall has affected only the outer wall (away from the water).
Maximising the benefits of the Stage 3 project and minimising impacts that may occur during construction is a key priority for the Hinze Dam Alliance.
5. I understand Advancetown Road will be used as the primary access road for construction of the dam expansion. How will the Hinze Dam Alliance manage impacts associated with increased traffic volumes?The Alliance conducted detailed traffic assessments to ensure that any potential impacts are recognised and, where possible, mitigated. A series of measures will be implemented to ensure impacts from increased traffic volumes are minimised.
Mitigation measures include:
- a maximum speed limit along Advancetown Road during the construction phase of the Hinze Dam expansion
- Advancetown Road will be open for construction and local traffic movements only. Limiting p ublic access will decrease overall daily traffic volumes.
Although traffic movements at certain times of the day (morning and peak hour) may be higher than normal, the overall daily traffic volumes and noise on Advancetown Road are expected to reduce as result of the construction work.
Advancetown Road residents have been and will continue to be consulted on an ongoing basis to ensure safety and accessibility on the road remains.
6. Will Advancetown Road be upgraded to cope with the change in vehicle types using the road?Towards the end of construction Advancetown Road will be resurfaced to mitigate the use of the road. At the start of construction the road was widened and upgraded to:
- improve road geometry
- install a pedestrian footpath
- improve road safety
The Hinze Dam Alliance was and is committed to managing any impacts on surrounding residents during the construction phase of the Hinze Dam expansion . Noise mitigation measures include:
- limiting heavy vehicle movements to the daytime to provide an acceptable level of noise amenity during the quieter evening and night time hours
- use of haul roads for the even running of construction vehicles to avoid significant gear changes and braking (40km/hr advisory signage is also placed along Advancetown Road)
- adopting a voluntary construction noise level goal aimed at assisting with the management of noise. The target has been set to allow normal conversation and daily activities to occur inside dwellings during construction work
- coordinating deliveries to site for mid to late morning each day to minimise the spread of vehicle movements
- changing Alliance vehicle reversing beepers to quackers, which are quieter for nearby residents.
The Hinze Dam Alliance monitors dust to ensure the project operates within strict guidelines to maintain the health of near neighbours, the surrounding environment and the on-site workers.
Dust levels were measured prior to construction, using an air sampler, and these normal levels are compared to any emissions generated by typical activities and construction traffic.
Recycled water is used preferentially for dust suppression during construction. The Alliance also assesses other water saving management measures, such as the use of dust suppressants to reduce water wastage. Any feedback regarding potable water tank conditions will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.
9. What happens if damage to houses occurs during construction as a result of blasting and ground vibration?All blasting is now complete. Structural condition surveys were undertaken as a precautionary measure to assess and record pre-blast conditions of properties within one kilometre of blasting activity. Blasting was necessary to produce the material required for the raising of the dam wall.
The Hinze Dam Alliance is committed to managing any impacts on surrounding residents during the construction phase of the Hinze Dam expansion.
10. Why is an Alliance the preferred approach to deliver the project?An Alliance is an incentive-driven approach to project development based on close co-operation between all project participants. Performance of Alliance-based project teams has proven to be an effective and flexible means of delivering high quality infrastructure projects. This approach will provide the best opportunity to achieve the desired outcomes for the delivery of the project in its entirety. The Hinze Dam Alliance is comprised of Sinclair Knight Merz, Thiess Pty Ltd and URS.
11. How will the Stage 3 project help with flood mitigation?The project has raised the dam wall, which allows the temporary storage of a greater volume of water.
The new dam design also incorporates a new spillway, designed to reduce the flow of water from the dam during large rainfall events.
By reducing the rate floodwater is released from the dam , peak flood levels and damage in the lower catchment can be reduced.
12. Why do we need water supply if desalination and the Wivenhoe pipeline are being progressed?Raising the dam wall for additional water storage is a key component of the Gold Coast Waterfuture Strategy (2006 - 2056), a blueprint for sustaining the city's water resources over the next 50 years.
A diverse range of water sources are required to best meet the city's future water needs. The Gold Coast population is estimated to reach around 1.2 million people by 2056, requiring an estimated 465 million litres of water per day.
13. Has a formal consultation process been undertaken?Yes. A formal consultation process took place as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment, addressing social, economic and environmental issues of interest to stakeholders and the broader community.
A Community Advisory Committee was formed to facilitate community input into the project during the planning phase and a Community Reference Group established to ensure consultation and feedback has continued during construction.
Consultation with relevant stakeholders has been ongoing throughout the project and you are encouraged to contact the Hinze Dam Alliance if you have any concerns.
For more information on the project or to raise any concerns, free call 1800 993 413 or click on the related links below.
14. How can I find out more about the HDS3 project?We encourage members of the community to contact the Hinze Dam Alliance via:
- Phone: 1800 993 413 (free call)
- Email: info@hinzedamalliance.com.au
- Web: www.hinzedamstage3.com
The Hinze Dam Alliance is now delivering a safe flood management solution and increased water storage for the Gold Coast Community.
Early site preparation work began in late 2007 and construction commenced in January 2008. Construction of the dam wall and spillway has been completed.
The site rehabilitation, internal roadwork and parklands and barbecue areas are currently underway and the site is due to open mid-December 2011.
