NSW Government invests $245m to upgrade and build three dams

Three projects that will improve water security in New South Wales will soon get underway as the State Government invests $245 million for Stage 1 of the Wyangala Dam and Dungowan Dam projects, and for investigations on a new dam on the Mole River. 

These projects were declared Critical State Significant Infrastructure and this investment will be used to finalise business cases and start pre-construction and preliminary works on the Wyangala Dam wall raising and the new Dungowan Dam. 

All three projects have the potential to generate hundreds of jobs for the region, secure water for communities as well as provide economic and social benefits for hundreds of local businesses and residents. 

“The time is now to build dams in NSW, to be bold in our vision for regional communities and take control of our future. 

“Today sets a new precedent for building dams in NSW and will act as the blueprint for growing the prosperity in our regions by investing in our state’s water security,” Deputy Premier John Barilaro said. 

The Wyangala Dam wall raising project – valued at approximately $650 million – will include raising the dam’s wall by up to 10 metres to increase water storage by about 53 per cent, helping improve water security and drought resilience in the Lachlan Valley. 

Dungowan Dam map (source: WaterNSW)

The new Dungowan Dam, on the other hand, will be replacing the existing dam near Tamworth to improve long-term water supply security in the region and increase water supply by up to 7-gigalitres annually. 

Lastly, the new Mole River Dam in the Border Rivers will be built to secure more water in flood sequences which will make more water available to communities, agriculture and the environment during drier times. 

Mole River Dam map (source: WaterNSW)

The three projects are going to be delivered through the Australian and New South Wales Governments’ $1.1 billion joint investment. These projects were also been highlighted in WaterNSW’s 20-year Water Infrastructure Study. 

“Last year, the NSW Government made a commitment to build new dams in NSW and despite the challenges of COVID-19 we are getting on with the job of delivering these essential projects, which will benefit local communities now and into the future. 

“These once-in-a-generation infrastructure projects will improve water security for farming, irrigation, industry and homes and boost local economies,” Minister for Water, Property and Housing Melinda Pavey said. 

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Source: NSW Government; WaterNSW (1, 2, 3); Macquarie Port News; The Land