Queensland government faces criticism over decision to replace Paradise Dam 20 years after it was built

State government says concrete issues mean wall can't be repaired as planned so new dam will be built to provide irrigation water for agriculture

The Queensland government is facing criticism over the decision to spend billions of dollars replacing an unsafe 20-year-old dam before completing a business case for the scheme.

The 3,000-megalitre Paradise Dam was built near Bundaberg in 2005 to serve the surrounding agricultural industry, but it was found to be at risk of collapse in 2019 due to engineering mistakes, including the use of a new concrete construction method.