SECURITY UPGRADE HALTS TRAFFIC ON BLOWERING DAM

5 September 2011
 
Public vehicular traffic will be restricted from the road atop Blowering Dam from Monday (12 September) as part of a broader security upgrade of State Water assets across regional NSW.

State Water General Manager Strategic Assets, Amit Chanan, confirmed that pedestrian access will be maintained on the dam wall and recreational activities in approved areas will remain unchanged.

Minor incidents of vandalism and other inappropriate behaviour after hours had hastened the decision to limit motor vehicle access at Blowering Dam, Mr Chanan said.

“It is State Water’s policy to review and where practical upgrade its security arrangements at all its assets state-wide, especially very significant infrastructure such as Blowering Dam.

“The dam is a key regulator structure on the Tumut River, which also serves what is arguably the nation’s foremost irrigation area in the Murrumbidgee valley.

“The other consideration is bringing the workplace safety environment for our dam staff into line with contemporary standards.

“It is simply no longer acceptable for employees conducting maintenance for example, to do so in an area where motor vehicles travelling at speed can appear without notice.

“Unfortunately at Blowering some instances of minor vandalism and other undesirable behaviour by drivers after-hours hastened the process.”

Brandy Mary Park will also be unaffected by the security upgrade.

Public vehicles are already restricted from other State Water dam crests such as Hume, Burrendong, Split Rock and Burrinjuck, with plans in place to also extend the restriction to Wyangala.

Enquiries should be directed to State Water’s customer information line 1300 662 077.
 
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