Raising Clarrie Hall Dam

To provide for our growing population, Tweed Shire Council is sustainably upgrading and expanding our water and wastewater systems. This involves projects to secure a sustainable water supply so the Tweed’s people and places can thrive.

One of those projects is increasing the storage of Clarrie Hall Dam by raising the dam wall. In December 2015, Council resolved to undertake the planning and land acquisition for the proposed raising of the dam.

It is proposed to raise the dam wall by 8.5 metres to a height of 70 metres Australian Height Datum (AHD RL70). This would:

  • increase the size of the dam from 16,000 megalitres (ML) to about 42,300 ML
  • secure our water supply until at least 2065.



Current stage of the proposal: Determination of the EIS

The NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure publicly exhibited the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) from 25 September to 6 November 2024. Thank you to everyone who made a submission.

Council is now reviewing the submissions and preparing a Response to Submissions report, which will be provided (along with the EIS and submissions) to the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces in late 2025.

In 2026, the Minister will decide whether our proposal to raise the dam can go ahead and what conditions would apply.

If the Minister determines the project can proceed, the elected Council would consider consultant recommendations and the Minister’s determination, and decide to proceed on not to proceed. If they decide to proceed, we would undertake business case planning for detailed design and construction, and seek approvals and licences for construction.


Why this proposal is needed

Water is an essential service. Reliable access to water offers us a sense of safety at home and is the foundation of a healthy community.

Population growth

Through Council’s water-efficiency initiatives, the average Tweed resident has in recent decades reduced their demand for water by more than 20%. This has allowed Council to service our growing population without increasing the amount of water we draw from the Tweed River.

Currently, Council can meet the demand for water until about 2028. To service the needs of the community after 2028, Council chose to raise Clarrie Hall Dam to increase its storage capacity, and proceed with planning approval and land acquisitions for the project.

Raising the dam wall will almost triple the dam’s capacity and double its footprint, securing our water supply until at least 2065.

Climate change

Climate change is causing more frequent extreme weather events, including droughts. A larger dam will help reduce the risk of water shortages.

Related water security projects

To ensure our approach to securing a long-term water supply for the Tweed continues to be appropriate, Council has worked with the community to review all its water strategies, including Demand Management (Water Efficiency), Water Augmentation and Drought Management Strategy. A report on these matters was received by Council in March 2021. Council adopted all recommendations made by the community project reference group (PRG).

In 2022, Council revised its Drought and Water Restrictions policy in response to community feedback.

In September 2023, Council engaged consultant GHD to prepare an Integrated Water Cycle Management (IWCM) Issues Paper. The Issues Paper is expected to be completed in early 2025 and will consider all aspects of Council’s water supply services, infrastructure, performance, asset management, and financial planning. It will also assess Council’s recycled water and demand management strategies.

Bray Park Weir Tidal Protection Project

Most of the Tweed’s tap water is sourced from the Tweed River at the Bray Park Weir.

In addition to causing more frequent extreme weather events, climate change is causing sea levels to rise and reducing the flow of water in the Tweed River. The rise in sea levels is increasing the risk of tidal salt water and sea-level anomalies overtopping the Bray Park Weir, which could affect the quality of our water supply.

Council is developing and assessing options to mitigate this risk. Head to our Bray Park Weir Tidal Protection Project page to find out more.

Water link to City of Gold Coast

The pipeline provides an emergency supply in the event of a gross failure of the Tweed District water supply due to infrastructure failure.

The pipeline does not negate the need to raise Clarrie Hall Dam.


To provide for our growing population, Tweed Shire Council is sustainably upgrading and expanding our water and wastewater systems. This involves projects to secure a sustainable water supply so the Tweed’s people and places can thrive.

One of those projects is increasing the storage of Clarrie Hall Dam by raising the dam wall. In December 2015, Council resolved to undertake the planning and land acquisition for the proposed raising of the dam.

It is proposed to raise the dam wall by 8.5 metres to a height of 70 metres Australian Height Datum (AHD RL70). This would:

  • increase the size of the dam from 16,000 megalitres (ML) to about 42,300 ML
  • secure our water supply until at least 2065.



Current stage of the proposal: Determination of the EIS

The NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure publicly exhibited the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) from 25 September to 6 November 2024. Thank you to everyone who made a submission.

Council is now reviewing the submissions and preparing a Response to Submissions report, which will be provided (along with the EIS and submissions) to the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces in late 2025.

In 2026, the Minister will decide whether our proposal to raise the dam can go ahead and what conditions would apply.

If the Minister determines the project can proceed, the elected Council would consider consultant recommendations and the Minister’s determination, and decide to proceed on not to proceed. If they decide to proceed, we would undertake business case planning for detailed design and construction, and seek approvals and licences for construction.


Why this proposal is needed

Water is an essential service. Reliable access to water offers us a sense of safety at home and is the foundation of a healthy community.

Population growth

Through Council’s water-efficiency initiatives, the average Tweed resident has in recent decades reduced their demand for water by more than 20%. This has allowed Council to service our growing population without increasing the amount of water we draw from the Tweed River.

Currently, Council can meet the demand for water until about 2028. To service the needs of the community after 2028, Council chose to raise Clarrie Hall Dam to increase its storage capacity, and proceed with planning approval and land acquisitions for the project.

Raising the dam wall will almost triple the dam’s capacity and double its footprint, securing our water supply until at least 2065.

Climate change

Climate change is causing more frequent extreme weather events, including droughts. A larger dam will help reduce the risk of water shortages.

Related water security projects

To ensure our approach to securing a long-term water supply for the Tweed continues to be appropriate, Council has worked with the community to review all its water strategies, including Demand Management (Water Efficiency), Water Augmentation and Drought Management Strategy. A report on these matters was received by Council in March 2021. Council adopted all recommendations made by the community project reference group (PRG).

In 2022, Council revised its Drought and Water Restrictions policy in response to community feedback.

In September 2023, Council engaged consultant GHD to prepare an Integrated Water Cycle Management (IWCM) Issues Paper. The Issues Paper is expected to be completed in early 2025 and will consider all aspects of Council’s water supply services, infrastructure, performance, asset management, and financial planning. It will also assess Council’s recycled water and demand management strategies.

Bray Park Weir Tidal Protection Project

Most of the Tweed’s tap water is sourced from the Tweed River at the Bray Park Weir.

In addition to causing more frequent extreme weather events, climate change is causing sea levels to rise and reducing the flow of water in the Tweed River. The rise in sea levels is increasing the risk of tidal salt water and sea-level anomalies overtopping the Bray Park Weir, which could affect the quality of our water supply.

Council is developing and assessing options to mitigate this risk. Head to our Bray Park Weir Tidal Protection Project page to find out more.

Water link to City of Gold Coast

The pipeline provides an emergency supply in the event of a gross failure of the Tweed District water supply due to infrastructure failure.

The pipeline does not negate the need to raise Clarrie Hall Dam.


Guest Book

If you have a comment on this project, you can submit it here.
CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

A preliminary study was done some years ago but due to the changes in the energy market and the capacity of the grid to take any electricity generated, the feasibility study needs to be revised. We have asked NSW Public Works Advisory to review the feasibility of hydro generation at Clarrie Hall Dam. - The Project Team.

BrendaH almost 7 years ago
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How about installing hydroelectricity like Grafton council

Jimbo almost 7 years ago
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Page last updated: 01 Oct 2025, 04:32 PM