“It is the culmination of years and years of foresight, conviction, planning, disappointment, 

jubilation, employment and success from someone’s vision some 90 years ago, 

that would one day serve the Central Highlands with a water supply.”

In 1972, the construction of the Fairbairn Dam was completed on the Nogoa River, 25km southwest of Emerald, Queensland.  As a result Lake Maraboon became the second largest lake in Queensland, with a holding capacity of up to 3 times the water in the Sydney Harbour. This development enabled the establishment of the Emerald Irrigation Scheme and the beginning of the diverse agricultural opportunities it provided farmers across the region. 

‘A Dam Good Story’ captures the facts and stories of those involved in the construction of the Fairbairn Dam and the first 40 years of the enormous benefits it has provided irrigators, industries and the community of the Central Highlands, Queensland.  The stories within this book are a precious history of our farming families and our community.