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 raising the Clarrie Hall 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 - Environmental Impact Statement

The proposal to raise the dam wall is at the Environment Impact Statement (EIS) stage.

If you are interested in the EIS, please go to our dedicated EIS page on Your Say Tweed.

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 has resolved to undertake the planning and land acquisitions for the proposed raising of Clarrie Hall Dam.

Raising the dam wall will almost treble 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 been working 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. The policy is available on Council’s website at tweed.nsw.gov.au/policies.

Work is starting on a new Demand Management (Water Efficiency) Strategy for the Tweed and work has started on developing and costing a 4- to 10-year plan for demand management. Implementation of the plan is due to begin in late 2023.

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 is to provide 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.