Further local input into Wyangala bridge and road

20 December 2011

Boorowa and Cowra Shire Council Mayors and General Managers have heard that input from engineers of their respective councils is being incorporated into final designs of the Wyangala Dam alternative access bridge and road.

The seventh Wyangala Dam upgrade working party meeting was held in the Cowra Council Chambers last week with State Water updating councils on progress of the project.

Boorowa Mayor Councillor Wendy Tuckerman said she was pleased to see State Water continue to work with the local councils throughout the project and make the most of their local knowledge and experience.

“Wyangala Dam and this new bridge and road are important pieces of infrastructure for the area so it is essential both councils are involved and up-to-date.

“The Wyangala working party meetings have helped to ensure relations between councils and State Water are productive and positive by keeping us informed and facilitating discussion on any issues.”

The working party also heard the contract for bridge and road works and the gate raising and locking system for the dam safety upgrade will be combined into one contract with two separable portions to reduce administration costs.

The gate raising and locking system is the second package of works on the dam safety upgrade and follows the raising of the spillway chute walls which was completed in July, 2010.

The third package of works involves raising the dam wall crest which will complete stage one of the Wyangala Dam safety upgrade, one of seven that State Water is managing throughout regional NSW to enable the dams to safely pass extreme floods.

Detailed designs for the alternative access are being completed by Aurecon and NSW Public Works are finalising the detailed designs of the gate raising and locking system.

The designs will incorporate recommendations from the review of environmental factors which included mitigation measures to address concerns raised about the increased traffic on Trout Farm Road.

The tendering process will commence in 2012 with construction on the alternative access and gate raising and locking system scheduled to commence mid next year.

The permanent storage capacity and normal water releases will not be affected by the works.

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