Dam Closes To Public Access

Toowoomba Regional Council has again closed Cooby Dam to the public until further notice.
Toowoomba Regional Council Water and Waste General Manager Damian Platts said Council officers had detected high levels of Saxitoxin, which if ingested may cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and possible diarrhea.

Council will close entry gates to Loveday Cove, and the Cooby Dam wall picnic areas and signage will be put in place indicating the closure of areas to the public until further notice,” Mr Platts said.

Mr Platts said the test results meant Council had closed the facility as a safety precaution. Council will conduct its regular testing regime to determine when the dam can re-open,” Mr Platts said.

Lake Perseverance and Lake Cressbrook also remain closed to the public. To view activities open or closed at the dams, please visit www.tr.qld.gov.au/damstatus

The toxin represents no risk to drinking water supplies as the water treatment, and disinfection process removes them.

Council monitors the three dams weekly for algae and numerous microbiological parameters including E.coli. We also test chemical parameters such as iron, manganese, alkalinity, hardness, ammonia, nitrate, colour, turbidity and phosphate.

Submitted by:
Michael Duff
Senior Media Relations Officer
Stakeholder Engagement and Communications