Wyangala upgrade

Location: Lachlan River, 50 klm upstream of Cowra
Dam completed: 1935 (enlarged 1971)
Storage capacity: 1,220,000 megalitres
Upgrade construction cost: Excess of $25 million
Funding: The NSW State Government
Start date: 2009
Expected completion: 2013
Stage one:
1A - Spillway radial gate raising and locking.
1B - Downstream spillway chute wall raising.
1C - Parapet wall crest raising.  
Storage capacity and water released will not
be altered by the upgrade.

Benefits

  • Improve dam safety.
  • Improve environment outcomes.
  • Increase sustainable regional development.
  • Stimulating local economy during construction phase.
  • Bring dam into line with contemporary security practices.

Milestones

1A (work package)

  • Mid 2010 award construction contract.
  • Mid 2010 commence construction.
  • Late 2011 construction complete.

1B (work package)

  • Late 2009 award construction contract.
  • Late 2009 commence construction.
  • Early 2011 complete construction.

1C (work package)

  • Mid 2011 award construction contract.
  • Mid 2011 commence construction.
  • Late 2013 complete construction.

Updates

  • Proposed that public vehicle access to the road atop the dam wall closed from late 2010.
  • Closing of road to better protect critical dam infrastructure.
  • Agreed to have consultation with local community including Cowra Council to decide on an alternative route.
  • 35 face-to-face interviews were conducted in June with up to 50 local residents to discuss the impact of various options relating to the road closure.
  • An independant review into the costing for the two alternative options for closing the road across the dam wall is currently underway.

Media release

Wyangala Dam road closure

Contact

Project Manager: Kock Ooi
Contact details: (02) 9354 1007