Detailed design contract awarded for Chaffey Dam

Minister for Primary Industries, Katrina Hodgkinson and Member for Tamworth, Kevin Anderson have welcomed the awarding of the contract for the detailed design of the Chaffey Dam augmentation and safety upgrade.

“Black and Veatch Australia Pty Ltd has been awarded the contract by State Water to design the $43 million works following an open tender selection process,” Ms Hodgkinson said.

“This contract involves preparing drawings, technical specifications, cost estimates and tender and contract documents to enable construction of upgrades.

“State Water commenced investigations for the works earlier this year, the same month stage one of the safety upgrade was successfully completed.

“The augmentation will increase the capacity of the storage from 62,000ML to 100,000ML to ensure the security of water supply for Tamworth residents and Peel Valley irrigators and will increase the full supply level by 6.5 metres,” Ms Hodgkinson said.

Ms Hodgkinson said the works are funded by the Commonwealth Government through the Water for the Future initiative, the NSW Government, Tamworth Regional Council and Peel Valley water users.

The works involve raising the dam wall by up to eight metres, raising the morning glory spillway and bridge deck by 6.5 metres, configuring the fuse-plug spillway for the augmented dam and realigning roads and bridges impacted by the increased full supply level.

The safety upgrade component of the project will ensure the dam is compliant with NSW Dams Safety Committee standards for extreme flooding and can safely withstand the biggest flood statistically possible for the area.

Mr Anderson said the move represented the next step towards securing the region’s future water supply.

“It is great to see this important project progressing to the detailed design stage which will bring us closer to the completion of the augmentation and safety upgrade of the site.

“Naturally there will be consultation with stakeholders who may be affected by the increased full supply level will continue throughout investigations, detailed design and construction.

“Black & Veatch has also formed a partnership with Tamworth-based firm Constructive Solutions to add another layer of civil engineering knowledge to the team.            

“The detailed design is scheduled for completion in mid-2012,” Mr Anderson said.

Media contacts:

Samantha Day – 0408 176 475

Kevin Anderson - 0418 493 867