Chinaman Creek Dam Recreation Reserve

Chinaman Creek Dam, located just 4 kilometres from Cloncurry in rural North West Queensland, has long been a cherished spot for the community. Recognising the need for enhancement, the Cloncurry Shire Council embarked on a transformative upgrade of the reserve, aiming to create a versatile recreational hub that celebrates the region's natural beauty.

The comprehensive upgrade has elevated the area's appeal, featuring a new pavilion structure complete with upgraded barbecue facilities, a playground equipped with modern facilities, a state-of-the-art amenities block, and a convenient boat washdown area complemented by outdoor showers. 

In close collaboration with the Landscape Architect (LARK), our team provided a range of engineering services to bring this vision to life.

Structurally, we oversaw the upgrade of the pavilion and its supporting infrastructure, along with designing footings for shade structures and slabs for various amenities, including the amenities block and container servery. Notably, our design of the shade structures employed aluminium due to the prevalence of local birdlife and their potential to cause damage.

The Civil engineering included upgrading the sealed carpark and road, establishing a gravel carpark area, constructing a concrete recreation space, and laying out pedestrian pathways to ensure accessibility and convenience for all visitors.

Hydraulically, we devised a comprehensive plan for water and sewer connections to the amenities block and container servery, ensuring efficient and sustainable infrastructure.

The project presented unique challenges inherent to North West Queensland, but our team approached them with enthusiasm and expertise. Factors such as material supply, available services, and long-term maintenance considerations were integrated into our design process.

We take great pride in our contribution to these much-needed upgrades for the Cloncurry community. The transformation of the Chinaman Creek Dam Recreation Reserve not only provides residents with a formalised community space but also contributes to the ongoing enhancement efforts spearheaded by the Cloncurry Shire Council.