Copeton upgrade

Copeton Dam

  • The material excavated to make way for the spillway will be used to build a cofferdam to protect the works should the dam level riseLocationed on the Gwydir River, 60km upstream of Bingara
  • Dam completed in 1973
  • Storage capacity of 1,364,000 megalitres

About the upgrade

  • Cost $60 million
  • Funded by the NSW Government
  • 2010 start date 
  • 2013 expected completion

Stage one

Construction of a fuse plug spillway. Upgrade dam to comply with ANCOLD and DSC safety standards. The permanent storage capacity and normal water releases will not be affected by the upgrade.

Benefits

  • Improved dam safety
  • Improved flood managment
  • Stimulating local economy during construction phase

Milestones

  • February 2010 commence relocation of Copeton Waters State Park recreational facilities
  • August 2010 complete detailed design of fuse plug spillway
  • Early 2011 completion of relocation of Copeton Waters State Park recreational facilities
  • Early 2011 call tenders for construction
  • Early 2011 commence construction
  • Late 2012 complete construction

Updates

  • Preliminary investigations completed
  • Option refinement and concept design completed
  • Thomas and Coffey Pty Ltd commenced relocation of the Copeton Waters State Park in February 2010
  • Detailed design completed in June 2010
  • December 2010 Park relocation anticipated to be completed December 2010
  • Park relocation delayed by rain, sceduled for completion by March/April 2011
  • Construction contract awarded to Macmahon Contractors April 2011
  • Construction commencement ceremony and handover of new State Park facilities July 2011
  • First Community Construction Liaison Group (CCLG) meeting August 2011

Fact Sheet

Media releases

Contact

Project Manager: Nava Jeyachandran
Contact details: (02) 8245 2006