PROJECT UPDATE Wyangala Dam Wall Raising - WaterNSW
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PROJECT UPDATE
Wyangala Dam Wall Raising
DECEMBER 2020
SUBSC
FOR P RIBE
ROJEC
UPDA T
TES
The project This modelling and mapping is complex
work, and it is critical that we get it right.
Wyangala Dam Wall Raising project will
provide thousands of Lachlan Valley In line with the NSW Government’s previous
region residents and their communities with announcement, WaterNSW is continuing
improved water security and increased with the design and business case for a 10m
drought resilience. increase in Full Supply Level (FSL).
The project is jointly funded by the NSW and Over the next six months we will continue
Federal governments. this modelling and mapping work, including
further investigations of potential impacts,
It will see the existing 85-metre high dam which will inform the environmental
wall raised, increasing water storage assessments as well as design and
capacity by 650GL or 53%. construction considerations.
The upgrade will help make sure local These hydrology and flood models use
water supplies are more resilient in times of historical data and predictive forecasts
drought and increase capacity to meet the including the effects of climate change.
area’s needs well into the future. We will also run several iterations of the
models to check they accurately reflect
Where is the project up to? the movement and storage of water in,
WaterNSW is continuing extensive upstream and downstream of the dam.
investigations for the project to inform the We expect to start these inundation
development of the final business case, the discussions with landholders in early 2021
Environment Impact Statement (EIS) and and anticipate we will have the final
the design. A key area of investigation at inundation mapping available by mid-
this time is the hydrology and flood models 2021. We will continue to work directly
for the Wyangala Dam Wall Raising project. with impacted landholders, as well as
These models are key to finalising the Reflections Holiday Parks management and
inundation level, associated mapping, van owners throughout the project.
the EIS and, ultimately, understanding the
impact on people’s properties and the
two holiday parks around the dam. The
modelling will also be used to assess the
impacts on the environment and both
upstream and downstream infrastructure.
waternsw.com.au
Progress has also been made on an early
works package – a water treatment plant
Environmental Impact
to provide clean drinking water to the Statement update
Wyangala Village and to the Reflections WaterNSW has had multiple teams of
Holiday Park. We refer to the treatment environmental and technical specialists
plant as ‘no regrets’ work as it is separate carrying out field work since mid-2020.
from the wall raising construction and brings To prepare the project’s Environmental
additional local benefits. In late October, Impact Statement (EIS), the team has to
WaterNSW issued a request for tender and gather significant historic and current field
briefed the market. Work on the treatment data on a wide range of topics including
plant is expected to start mid-2021. biodiversity, ecology, heritage, transport,
Both the Wyangala Waters and the hydrology and flooding.
Grabine Lakeside holiday parks will In addition to the status updates on some
continue to operate throughout the key reports, the EIS will address public
planning and construction of the project. safety, public access, impacts on utilities,
impacts on Crown Lands and bushfire risk.
This newsletter has information about WaterNSW thanks landholders who have
what we are doing to keep you informed, allowed our field teams to access their
as well as the opportunities for local properties. The information gathered is vital
businesses and services to benefit from to informing the project including the EIS,
the project. concept design and final business case. We
appreciate your ongoing cooperation.
Specialist studies update
Terrestrial biodiversity Aquatic ecology Aboriginal Cultural
fieldwork to finish early 2021, fieldwork ongoing, heritage
assessment underway assessment underway fieldwork continuing
Non-Aboriginal Noise and vibration
heritage Traffic and transport modelling finished,
fieldwork is complete assessment underway assessment underway
Air quality Contamination and soils
modelling finished, Health impacts fieldwork finished,
assessment underway assessment underway assessment underway
Hydrology Flood Environmental Sustainable
fieldwork is complete, fieldwork is complete, Development (ISCA)
modelling underway modelling underway assessment underway
Landscape and
visual impact Social impacts Waste
assessment underway fieldwork underway assessment underway
Climate change risk
and greenhouse gas
assessment underway
Our engagement so far Key activities
WaterNSW has been meeting with
landholders and residents across 2014 NSW Government funds a feasibility study into
Cranky Rock Dam
Wyangala, Woodstock, Darbys Falls, Reids
Flat and Bigga to provide an update on Federal Government identifies new dam on
Belubula River (Needles Gap) for feasibility
the project. We have held 10 community investigations
information sessions with about 60 people
Lachlan identified as priority catchment under
attending – these were done in small NSW State Infrastructure Strategy
groups due to COVID-19 restrictions.
In addition to these sessions, WaterNSW 2015 Feasibility study phase 1 recommends a further
held 13 online community information study into build and non-build options
webinars in October and December for the
broader NSW Central West communities, 2016 Feasibility study – phase 2 investigations continue
businesses and stakeholders.
These sessions follow on from engagement
with stakeholders and impacted 2017 Feasibility study – phase 2 investigations continue
landholders which started in early 2020.
Introductory letters and one-on-one
meetings have been held with almost all of 2018 Feasibility study (phase 2) completed
the potentially impacted landholders. June
Wyangala Dam Wall Raising project identified in
WaterNSW staff have been at each
20-year Infrastructure Options Study
meeting to provide information on the
NSW Government provides funding for project’s
project, understand landholder and
final business case
stakeholder perspectives, answer questions
and discuss the approval processes and
next steps. 2019 NSW Government lists project in Critical Needs
(Water Supply) Act 2019
NSW and Commonwealth Governments
announce funding for project
2020 Concept design started
Environment Impact Statement preparation and
assessments started
Site investigations and environmental field studies
started
Landholder engagement started
Community information sessions and webinars
started
Upcoming activities Opportunities for local
business
2021
WaterNSW has launched a portal so
businesses local to the Wyangala region
can register their services. This information is
already being used by the project team with
Environmental Landholder
field surveys and engagement hundreds of thousands of dollars already
investigations continues spent with local businesses.
continue So far more than 300 businesses have
registered on the portal to provide products
and services. All businesses will be provided
to our project partners and contractors so
Community Environmental they can locally source the services they
information Impact require.
sessions and Statement Maximising opportunities for businesses in
webinars public display for these local communities is important to the
continue consultation NSW Government and WaterNSW. We are
working closely with all local councils and
Cowra Business Chamber and the broader
business community to identify and assess
Final business Construction local services.
case developed partner All procurement for the project will require a
procurement
focus on local businesses and services.
Registering your business is really easy and
can be done by visiting www.waternsw.com.
au/wyangalabusiness.
Detailed design Construction of
starts Water Treatment
Plant at
Wyangala starts
Construction
planning for
Holiday Parks
finalised
Frequently asked questions
Will there be new water licences made BBQs and other amenities will be
available? relocated or renewed at a higher level
This project aims to create greater security Existing infrastructure will be maintained
and reliability for existing water licences in wherever possible.
the Lachlan Valley. There are no intentions We’re currently working very closely
for any new water licences to be provided with Reflections Holiday Parks and the
following the raising of the dam wall. Councils on how best to improve the visitor
Will the extra water be used for new or experience for when the dam project
existing mining operations? is finished. We will also be working with
There are no intentions for any new water local tourism groups and seeking broader
licences to be provided following the community feedback as the project
raising of the dam wall. This includes new progresses.
and existing mining operations in Central Will Wyangala Waters and Grabine
West NSW. Lakeside Holiday Parks close during
Will tourism and recreation be affected? construction?
WaterNSW knows the significant value Both holidays parks will remain open
the tourism industry and people visiting throughout the project’s construction
Wyangala Dam brings to the local work and the project team want to ensure
economy. There will not be any limitations holiday van owners and recreational
on accessing the lake during the users still have access to the lake and
construction and multiple access points to holiday parks. There may at times, be some
the lake will be maintained. There will be changes to amenities and access, but
restrictions to accessing the actual dam the project team will work closely with the
structure (for example, no walking on the holiday parks’ management, Reflections,
dam wall), construction staging areas and to minimise impacts for holiday makers.
downstream of the dam structure once Where vans and sites are impacted by the
construction starts. new full supply level, we will be engaging
Managing community safety throughout closely with Reflections and the affected
construction will be front of mind at all van owners and site holders in the planning
times. and staging to new locations in the holiday
parks.
This project creates an opportunity to
maximise benefits to the tourism and We will continue to collaborate with
recreation needs through the development Reflections to keep van owners and
of new infrastructure in the redevelopment casual recreational users updated as the
of the Wyangala Waters Holiday Park and project progresses and will have the final
Grabine Lakeside Holiday Park as part of inundation mapping available by mid-2020.
the early works for the project.
Community assets will be relocated prior The Reflections Holiday
to finishing the dam. Relocation of these Parks at Wyangala Waters
assets provides an opportunity to improve and Grabine Lakeside are
amenities for the future. For example: open as per usual. Park
Boat ramps to accommodate higher guests, day visitors and lake
water levels users are welcome to come
Car parks will be relocated and built at a and enjoy the facilities and
higher level natural wide open spaces.
Toilet amenities will be relocated and For bookings, please call Grabine Lakeside
built at a higher level on (02) 4835 2345 or Wyangala Waters on
Picnic spots will be available at a higher (02) 6345 0877. Alternatively, visit
level www.reflectionsholidayparks.com.auStay up to date on project news
Thank you to everyone who joined us at our initial
community information sessions and webinars.
We will regularly be holding further sessions and
webinars and providing further updates on the
project as it progresses.
If you would like to receive information about the
project directly from WaterNSW, please visit our
website or send your name and contact details to
wyangaladamproject@waternsw.com.au.
For general enquiries and to
subscribe to project updates email
wyangaladamproject@waternsw.com.au
To join the Community Facebook Group visit
WaterNSW – Wyangala Dam Wall Raising
project
Follow us on Twitter @WaterNSW
Call 1800 735 822
To register your local business visit
www.waternsw.com.au/wyangalabusinessYou can also read
