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Last Updated: Friday, 12 September 2025 09:04

Published: Friday, 12 September 2025 07:35

Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) has welcomed the recent $54 million funding commitment from the State Government to the Cressbrook Dam Safety Improvement Project (CDSIP). Now, TRC is urging the Federal Government to step up and join the effort to help deliver this critical safety initiative.  

Toowoomba Region Mayor Geoff McDonald said Council needs all levels of government working together to ensure the long-term safety and reliability of our water supply.  

“Earlier this year, we applied for $97 million in funding from round three of the Australian Government’s Disaster Ready Fund 2025-26.  

“Regardless of the outcome of our funding application through the Disaster Ready Fund, we’re calling on the Federal Government to recognise the importance of this project, with their own funding commitment because this project is dam important.  

“Currently, the CDSIP is funded through the Region’s water charges, with the assistance of the $54 million commitment from the State Government.  

“A Federal Government funding investment would support community safety, protect downstream residents, improve disaster resilience and strengthen our Region’s long-term water security. Providing funding assistance means more than contributing to a successful project delivery. It’s a commitment to the growth and future of the Toowoomba Region, a place where ambition meets opportunity.  

“We appreciate the State Government’s $54 million contribution to the CDSIP. However, the cost of the remainder of this project shouldn’t fall to Toowoomba Region ratepayers.  

“We invite any Federal MPs to join us on site, because until you’re here at the dam wall, you can’t see it, you can’t feel it, you can’t touch it, you can’t understand it. This is a massive project. We are calling on the support of the Federal Government to help us build a safer, stronger future for the Toowoomba Region,” Mayor McDonald said.  

“The CDSIP is committed to delivering the highest practicable level of dam safety, ensuring our infrastructure meets modern safety and engineering standards, protects communities, and withstands future challenges with resilience and reliability.  

“We’re taking our time to get the design of this project right as it’s complex and carries considerable risk. Our goal is to ensure Council has the right solution and that the project is done once and done properly. This is why we have such a robust, involved design process, including technical experts and the Dam Safety Regulator,” Mayor McDonald said.  

For more information about the project, visit Cressbrook Dam Safety Improvement Project.