The New South Wales Government has completed an upgrade of the Winburndale Dam, located at Bathurst.
The government said the project was the largest upgrade since the dam was built in the 1930s, and is designed to help drought-proof the city’s water supplies.
The New South Wales Government provided $2.2 million towards the delivery of the $16 million infrastructure, with the remaining funding supplied by Bathurst Regional Council.
The dam walls were strengthened using 25 post-tensioned ground anchors to bring it in line with modern safety standards and ensure it can withstand all kinds of weather and floods.
The project involved divers inspecting and working on the structure underwater during construction, while other equipment was engineered on site to meet the unique needs of the project.
The dam has a catchment area of approximately 88km² and a storage capacity of around 1,700ML.
Local builders Eodo Pty Ltd took 48 months to complete the project. Time lapse footage of the project lifespan is available on the Bathurst Council YouTube channel.
New South Wales Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water Executive Director – Development, Lisa Hingerty, said, “With parts of the Central West already drought affected, it is critical we continue to deliver projects that will improve Bathurst’s resilience during dry times.
“The Winburndale upgrade is a vital step in locking-in a safer, more secure water future by extending the life of the dam which will support this vibrant regional centre as it grows.
“The dam has served the community well for more than 90 years and this project will ensure it continues to operate as a reliable second water source for Bathurst into the next century,” Ms Hingerty said.
Bathurst Regional Council Mayor, Jess Jennings, said, “The New South Wales Government’s investment has made a long held dream a reality.
“Upgrading Winburndale Dam has been the biggest dam safety project undertaken in the last decade in the Central West, with more than 100,000 hours dedicated to delivering this project from start to finish.
“The fact that the project has been delivered by local business Eodo makes the project even more significant in the community. It shows the skills and diversity of businesses that make up our regional community,” Ms Jennings said.
Featured image: Winburndale Dam, Bathurst. Courtesty of NSW Water.
