Raising Clarrie Hall Dam

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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.


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.


Q&A

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  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    why raise the Clarrie Hall Dam when council own land land down stream that was bought to build a dam on for future water supply a much better option.

    ronbar asked almost 3 years ago

    A number of studies over the past 10 years looking at a range of water supply options and their economic, social and environmental impacts, found that raising Clarrie Hall Dam is the best overall option.  This is why Council resolved in December 2015 to adopt the raising of Clarrie Hall Dam as the preferred option for future water security and proceed with the planning approval and land acquisitions required for the project.

    project justification
    project justification
  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    My family has come to rely on the trail alongside the dam as compensation in part for the loss of Mount Warning for outdoor recreation. Much of this track will go under water when the dam wall is raised. Ho does Council propose to preserve this amenity? If so,how?

    John Tyman asked almost 3 years ago

    Council will prepare a Catchment Management Master Plan when the raising of Clarrie Hall Dam has been approved.

    Council cannot undertake that planning at this stage as Council does not know the extent of offsets that will be required for the land to be inundated.  When this and other factors are known, Council will commence developing plans for the catchment which hopefully will include opportunities for passive recreation.

    chd catchment management master plan
    chd catchment management master plan
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    In regards to the proposed recreation facilities, has there been any discussion at all about the possibility of building some trails for hiking and mountain biking? These activities improve community health and pose no risk to water quality and the terrain is ideal.

    Warwick asked almost 3 years ago

    Council will prepare a Catchment Management Master Plan when the raising of Clarrie Hall Dam has been approved.

    Council cannot undertake that planning at this stage as Council does not know the extent of offsets that will be required for the land to be inundated.  When this and other factors are known, Council will commence developing plans for the catchment which hopefully will include opportunities for passive recreation.

    chd catchment management master plan
    chd catchment management master plan
  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    I am very concerned with the third proposed water security project to : "....build a pipeline to connect the Tweed with the City of Gold Coast supply in south-east Queensland. The pipeline will provide an alternative water source in the event of a gross failure of the Tweed District Water Supply due to extreme drought or infrastructure failure. This pipeline would not negate the need to raise Clarrie Hall Dam." IMHO, it is the Gold Coast area all the way down to the NSW border that is having a huge explosion of high rise construction and population explosion. In this case if we join the Tweed water supply to GC, I strongly believe that it is the GC that will always have a problem with water shortages and they will be then drawing water from the Tweed, causing the Tweed residents into a constant flux of water restrictions. An MOU can often overcome these types of issues IN THE SHORT TERM, but can be overruled in the legal systems. Please DO NOT consider a pipeline to join the Tweed water to the GC and leave the Tweed residents in charge and responsible for our own resources.

    Geoff H asked almost 3 years ago

    Thank you for your comments and inquiry.

    The building of a pipeline between Tweed Shire Council and the City of Gold Coast is the upgrading of an existing link between the two water supplies to provide better security to the Tweed District Water Supply.  The link has been used when there was failure of the Tweed Water Supply such as that which occurred with the over-topping of Bray Park Weir in August 2017.  The link needs to be upgraded but it will remain with a limited capacity.

    There is no and there will be no obligation to provide the City of Gold Coast water from the Tweed District Water Supply.  Tweed Shire Council may choose to assist City of Gold Coast with water supply in the Coolangatta-Currumbin area but only if requested by City of Gold Coast and agreed to by Council.  This assistance would be provided on a similar basis to the assistance provided by City of Gold Coast to Tweed.

    water link to city of gold coast
    water link to city of gold coast
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    Hi, I’m wondering how the raising of the wall will affect residents downstream for flood insurance? Also what steps are being taken to strengthen the wall so movement doesn’t happen to the extent it has so far?

    Another Concerned resident asked almost 4 years ago

    There has been no movement of the wall since its construction. 

    The raised dam will be of a similar structural integrity and the raised wall will not move.  The raising of the wall will not increase risk to downstream properties.

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    Why is all of this taking so long? I mean this has been talked about since at least 2016, we are now 4 years on nothing. I am so very concern that DPI still shows that Twedd is in drought, we need our water urgently.

    Mazza asked over 3 years ago

    Typically the raising of a dam, from a decision to do it to completion takes about 10 years.  The 10 years comes from requirements to:

    • Undertake preliminary studies to ensure there are no issues preventing the project and identify issues that need to be considered in the concept design (quarry sites, road diversions, land acquisitions etc)
    • Prepare a concept design (flood hydrology, seismic studies, geotechnical investigations etc)
    • Undertake an Environmental Impact Statement in accordance with requirements set out by the State Government
    • When the EIS is complete a detailed design, taking into consideration the conditions of approval, needs to be undertaken
    • After detailed design, tendering and construction
  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    Hi, I have been looking at the information provided on potential impacts of this project and wanted to ask if consideration has been given to the increase in prodction of methy mercury from the flooding of vegetation and soils as the water level is raised. This is a signifcant issue in Canada with flooded reservoirs that has led to bioaccumulation of mercury in aquatic species, particularly higher trophic level fish that may be consumed by people. Thank you for your consideration of my question. Regards Charity

    Charity asked about 5 years ago

    There is no known source of methyl mercury in the catchment of Clarrie Hall Dam.  The soils in the catchment area have never been tested for methyl mercury and it has never been raised as a concern.  Council has referred your question to a number of experts and none of them could provide comment on methyl mercury being an issue.  

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    Obviously I am aware that what I am about to ask here will in no way be a priority for the Council for this project and my expectation is that the answer will be that it is not on the radar at all. But...is there any opportunity here at all to build or allow to be built public use nature trails? What I have in mind here is a trail that skirts the entire circumference of the dam. This area is a fantastic natural resource and I believe it should be made available in ways for the community to enjoy. For example, the Hinze dam just up the road has a number of mountain bike trails that are free to enjoy. Thanks for your time.

    Warwick asked about 4 years ago

    Council is to develop a master plan for the catchment lands in Council ownership.  The primary purpose of the catchment is to maintain water quality in the dam.  Notwithstanding there are a range of activities that could be undertaken in the catchment that would not impact on water quality.  These include things like walking trails/nature walks.

    At this stage we are mapping the features within the land Council owns so we can determine how best to develop the catchment to provide amenity and recreational opportunities to the public.

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    why hasn't the new dam been started that the weed Shire bought the land for many years ago we need more water storage in the Tweed our population is rising fast. We have just seen the water shortage devastation so now is the time for that new dam to be built ready for the next drought that will happen and it will.

    ronbar asked about 4 years ago

    In 2009/2010 Council engaged consultants MWH to prepare a series of reports to inform a Community Working Group and assist Council in determining a preferred option for the augmentation of the Tweed District Water Supply.

    In 2014 there were reviews of:

    ·  Secure yields based on 1 degree warming by 2030;

    ·  Demand projections;

    ·  Options; and

    ·  Costs.

    The reviews indicated the need for an augmented water supply by 2026.

    Based on the information available, on 10 December 2015, Council resolved in part:

    1.  Based on the information currently available, Council adopts the raising of the wall of the Clarrie Hall Dam as the preferred option for future water security and proceeds with the planning approval and land acquisitions phase for the project.

    Council has been proceeding with the implementation of this Resolution. 

    Council has now engaged Eco Logical Australia to prepare the Environmental Impact Statement for raising Clarrie Hall Dam.  The EIS is due to be completed by the end of this year.

    Raising Clarrie Hall Dam by 8.5 metres as proposed, the secure yield of the dam will treble, ensuring sufficient water for the Tweed until about 2046.

    The alternative of building a dam at Byrrill Creek would have cost more and would not have provided such longevity.


Page last updated: 19 Jan 2024, 09:06 AM