The economies of Wyangala and surrounding towns are set to be boosted this year as construction on the $43 million Wyangala Dam safety upgrade takes shape.
Construction on the new gate raising and locking system, the second stage of a series of works to enable the dam to safely withstand extreme floods, will commence mid year and is expected to require up to 20 full time workers.
Construction on the alternative access bridge and road is also scheduled to commence mid year, and is expected to require up to 30 full time construction workers.
State Water project director Frank Kinnas said the towns surrounding the six other dams State Water is upgrading have reaped the benefits of the multi-million dollar projects through engagement of subcontractors and suppling items such as fuel, accommodation and food to workers.
“In the $33 million Blowering Dam upgrade near Tumut it was estimated that 60 percent of the funding was retained in the local area,” Mr Kinnas said.
“An estimated 40 local jobs were supported by the Keepit Dam upgrade near Gunnedah and 70 to 80 percent of the work was able to be sub-contracted to local businesses,” he said.
Recommendations from the review of environmental factors into the new bridge and road will be incorporated into detailed designs which are currently being completed by Aurecon.
The option to build a road and bridge downstream of the dam wall was endorsed by the Wyangala Dam working party, as the least cost, most environmentally suitable option at a meeting in August 2010.
A clear majority of the Wyangala and District Residents’ Association also voted to support the option at a meeting in February, 2011.
Two other options were considered but were deemed unsuitable.
“The option of a road and bridge on State Water land was recognised as being unacceptable as the road and bridge would have to be demolished and rebuilt following construction of a fuse plug spillway in the second stage of works,” Mr Kinnas said.
“It would be irresponsible to spend money constructing something that would ultimately have to be removed,” he said.
Construction of an alternative access was required as the current road across the crest of the dam will be closed to public vehicles during works to raise the dam wall (scheduled for 2013) and remain restricted thereafter.
“As the community is aware, we are required to restrict public vehicular access across the dam wall in line with the NSW Critical Infrastructure Protection Framework and in the interest of the safety of our staff working on the wall,” Mr Kinnas said.
“Access at Hume, Split Rock, Keepit, Burrendong, Burrinjuck, Oberon, Chaffey and Glenbawn dams is also currently restricted,” he said.
An extensive consultation process continues to take place regarding the new access, with seven meetings held to date with the Wyangala Dam working party; and more than 15 meetings held with the four property owners who may be affected.
Additional community consultation was included in the review of environmental factors to ensure all concerns were considered and where necessary mitigation measures proposed.
The upgrade will not affect the permanent storage capacity, access to the recreation park or normal water releases from the dam.
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