Wivenhoe dam's operators feared warming would leave them short

Was Wivenhoe dam left too full to protect Brisbane because its operators trusted the predictions of global warmists that rains would decline?

From the Queensland Water Commission's 2010 South East Queensland Water Strategy:

Research on the impact of climate change on inflows has been undertaken for the catchment areas in the western parts of SEQ, including Wivenhoe and Somerset dams. Case studies involving a number of global climate models and higher resolution regional climate models indicate a range of possible climate change outcomes by 2030. Mean temperatures in the western parts of SEQ could increase by between 0.8°C and 1.2°C, evaporation could increase by 2 per cent to 8 per cent, and annual rainfall could reduce by 5 per cent or increase by 20 per cent.... Even small changes in climate could have significant impacts for water security…

Climate change may have a significant impact on the supply from our dams. The majority of climate modelling done to date indicates that SEQ is likely to become hotter and drier, with reduced inflows to dams and increased demand for water.

If you thought that, you might well think twice before draining more of the drinking water in Wivenhoe to make room for the flood waters that eventually overwhelmed the dam and contributed to the drowning of parts of Brisbane.

(Thanks to reader Paul in Dublin.)