The Federal and NSW governments have announced joint funding of  $43.33 million for the Chaffey Dam Augmentation Project and Safety Upgrade, which will commence in 2012.

 

The project will increase the capacity of Chaffey Dam from 62GL to 100GL and improve the dam's safety so it can withstand a Probable Maximum Flood, the highest rating set by the NSW Dams Safety Committee.

 

The $26.95 million Augmentation Project will be funded with $16.945 million from the Federal Government, $6.647 million from the NSW Government and $3.358 million from the Tamworth Regional Council and Local Water Users. The project involves raising the dam wall by approximately eight metres.

 

Stage 1 of the Safety Upgrade includes a 35 metre auxiliary spillway which is currently under construction and due for completion shortly. Stage 2 involves building a parapet wall on top the augmentation works at a cost of $16.38 million.

 

NSW State Water will immediately begin work on the necessary environmental assessment and planning studies so that construction can start in 2012.

 

The augmentation and safety upgrade of Chaffey Dam is part of the NSW Government's $250 million dam safety upgrade program being undertaken by State Water.

 

This follows work completed at Blowering Dam, while construction continues at Chaffey Dam, Burrendong Dam, Keepit Dam and Wyangala Dam.