Keepit Package 1: Completed on time, on budget

2 November 2011

NSW Minister for Primary Industries Katrina Hodgkinson and Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson have welcomed completion of the $40 million stage one works of the Keepit Dam upgrade which will better protect communities of Gunnedah, Narrabri, Wee-Waa and Walgett from the effects of extreme floods.

The project is one of seven upgrades funded by the NSW Government and managed by State Water throughout regional NSW which will enable the dams to safely pass more water in the event of extreme flooding and meet new safety standards.

Minister Hodgkinson said the dam safety upgrades represented a long-term commitment to protecting water infrastructure along with significant economic benefits for local towns.

“State Water’s dam safety upgrade program is making regional NSW storages safer, and represents a total investment of more than $300 million into regional assets, supporting around 200 local jobs and injecting more than $100 million into regional economies,” Ms Hodgkinson said.

"The project involved construction of two spillways and three saddle dams," Mr Anderson said.

“One new spillway is situated near the entrance to the State Park, and the other to the west of the main dam wall,” Mr Anderson said.

“It is estimated that 40 local jobs were supported by this first works package and 70 to 80 percent of work sub-contracted to local businesses,” he said.

“When you’re talking about multi-million dollar construction projects such as this the direct economic benefits really add up for towns like Gunnedah and Tamworth.

Contractor John Holland completed the construction of the spillways and the large saddle dam and Soil Conservation Services constructed two smaller saddle dams and two access roads.

“Completion of this first package of works is the culmination of more than a decade of preparation, consultation and investigations,” Mr Anderson said.

A series of ongoing environmental works are underway to offset any impacts to the environment from construction.

“State Water is establishing biodiversity areas and will construct fishways on two weirs downstream as well as rehabilitation works in the immediate dam area.

Locals also contributed during and prior to the construction phase of the project through various consultative committees.

“The regular communication and co-operative approach of these committees meant stakeholders had direct access to the project team so any issues could be resolved directly and all parties could be kept up-to-date.

“The various storage user groups were accommodating of the construction activities and State Water was fortunate to be able to assist them in different ways throughout construction,” Mr Anderson concluded.

ENDS

Media Contacts: Jane Urquhart 0429 449 711 (State Water)