The Queensland Government has decided not to lower levels in the Wivenhoe and North Pine Dams for the 2012-13 wet season.

 

State Water Supply Minister Mark McArdle said that he made the decision following the publishing of a number of reports from the Department of Energy and Water Supply (DEWS) and the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) the Department of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts, Seqwater, the SEQ Water Grid Manager and the Queensland Water Commission.

 

“I sought further advice from BoM on 1 November about the 2012-13 wet season,” he said.

 

“It’s clear from BoM’s latest advice, that this summer’s wet season is different from the strong La Nina conditions that persisted during the devastating Queensland floods of the 2010-11 wet season.”

 

Mr McArdle said his decision to not temporarily lower Wivenhoe or North Pine dam’s full supply levels was made after careful consideration of a number of factors.

 

“Following BoM’s presentation to Cabinet in September, I formally requested advice from DEWS on whether there should be a lower temporary full supply level for both Wivenhoe and North Pine Dams,” he said.

 

“This advice covered issues including seasonal weather forecasts, water supply security, dam operations, public safety, downstream impacts, public interest and the extent to which lowering the dams was likely to mitigate the impacts of a potential flood. It was supplemented by the BoM’s advice on 1 November.

 

Wivenhoe Dam’s water supply compartment is currently at 96.5 per cent capacity, while North Pine Dam’s is at 96.5 per cent capacity.