Rookwood Weir (Managibei Gamu)

Rookwood Weir (Managibei Gamu) was completed in November 2023. Sunwater owns and operates the weir and manages all associated water supply services, including sales, billing, and customer support.

The weir is part of the Fitzroy Basin water plan area in Central Queensland.

The name Managibei Gamu means ‘keeping – saving water’ in Darumbal.

Project benefits

The project provides:

  • 86,000ML of additional water supply for Central Queensland
  • more than half of this water for agriculture, with the remainder for urban and industrial use
  • long-term water security to support regional communities and industries
  • cultural recognition of First Nations peoples through co-naming in Darumbal language.

Location

Rookwood Weir (Managibei Gamu) is approximately 66km southwest of Rockhampton.

Status

Since 21 June 2024, Sunwater has owned and operated the weir and the Rookwood Weir water supply scheme.

Sunwater has an Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) with the Darumbal People Aboriginal Corporation Registered Native Title Body. This agreement supports a long-term partnership that recognises the cultural significance of the Fitzroy River and ensures ongoing collaboration.

Timeline

  • 2020 – market engagement and consultation on water plan amendments
  • End 2020 – design completed by Sunwater
  • April 2021 – construction started
  • June 2021 – Fitzroy Basin water plan amended to support the project
  • July 2022 – Fitzroy Basin water plan review commenced
  • June 2023 – water management protocol amended
  • Late 2023 – resource operations licence and operations manual amended
  • November 2023 – construction completed
  • Mid 2024 – weir commissioned and operational.

More information

For more information about the project and water allocations: