The project was the largest urban response to the drought in Australia, which severely affected water supplies in Brisbane and surrounds, particularly between 2004 and 2007.

[1] The project went online in October 2008 and by November 2008 parts of the region were receiving a diversified supply of water for the first time.

Two major pipelines, called the Northern and Southern Pipeline Interconnectors, link water storage facilities near Gympie in the north of the region and the Gold Coast area, south of Brisbane.

Wyaralong Dam and the completed Cedar Grove Weir are part of the plans.

These water reservoirs provide significant new supply and are needed to meet the region's growing demand up until 2050.