Wyangala upgrade

Location: Lachlan River, 50 km upstream of Cowra
Dam completed: 1935 (enlarged 1971)
Storage capacity: 1,220,000 megalitres
Upgrade construction cost: $43 million
Funding: The NSW State Government
Start date: 2009
Expected completion: 2014
Stage one:
1A - Spillway radial gate raising and locking.
1B - Downstream spillway chute wall raising.
1C - Parapet wall crest raising.
Storage capacity and normal water releases will not
be affected by the upgrade.

Benefits

Improve capability of the dam to withstand extreme floods
Improve environmental performance
Increase sustainable regional development
Stimulating local economy during construction phase
Bring dam into line with contemporary security practices

Project timeline

1A Spillway radial gate raising and locking (work package)

Late 2011 award construction contract
Early 2012 commence construction
Late 2012 construction complete

1B Downstream spillway chute wall raising (work package)

Late 2009 award construction contract
Late 2009 commence construction
July 2010 complete construction

1C Parapet wall crest raising (work package)

Mid 2013 award construction contract
Mid 2013 commence construction
Late 2014 complete construction

Updates

March 2009 - Proposed to restrict public vehicle access to the road atop the dam wall during construction and beyond for safety of staff and to better protect critical dam infrastructure
June 2009 - Consultation undertaken with local community including Cowra and Boorowa Council to decide on an alternative access route to Wyangala village. 35 face-to-face interviews were conducted with up to 50 local residents to discuss the impact of various options relating to the road closure
July 2009 - NSW Minister for Water Phillip Costa ordered an independent review to determine a suitable alternative access and rule out the Mt McDonald Road option
February 2010 - Commenced construction on chute wall raising works
July 2010 - Completed construction on chute wall raising works
August 2010 - Wyangala Working Party endorsed option to build a new road and bridge to connect Darby's Falls Road and Trout Farm Road
December 2010 - Contract awarded for detailed design of bridge and road access
January 2011 - Contract awarded for detailed design of gate raising and locking system
March 2011 - Commence review of environmental factors (REF) into the alternative access and additional community consultation
October 2011 - Complete REF into the alternative access
November 2011 - Alternative access REF on public display for three weeks