A New South Wales water security project has awarded the construction tender for a 3000ML off-river water storage dam, as the pump station to transfer water nears completion.
The tender was awarded to Haslin Construction to build the Eurobodalla water storage dam off Tuross River.
The new pump station that will transfer up to 26ML of water a day from the Tuross River during times of high flow, along with 6ML from an existing bore field, into the storage dam is nearing completion.
The new pump station will be finished by September 2022, with the dam expected to be completed before the end of 2024.
The $130 million water security project is jointly funded with the Australian Government committing $51.2 million through its National Water Grid Fund, the New South Wales Government investing $25.6 million under its Safe and Secure Water Program, and Eurobodalla Shire Council contributing $58.2 million.
The dam will be 370m long, 39m high, 200m wide and will be located on a tributary of the Tuross River. It will include a spillway to allow it to release water from heavy rainfall events back into the river.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King, called the project a “game changer”.
“This project will significantly increase water for agriculture and town water supply, particularly during droughts and periods of high demand like summer,” Ms King said.
“The project [is] expected to deliver an extra 581 megalitres of water every year for downstream irrigators and beef, dairy and the environment during low river flows.
“It is a great example of the Australian Government supporting a stronger water future for regional New South Wales by increasing water reliability, boosting primary industry production and helping to drought-proof local communities.”
New South Wales Minister for Lands and Water Minister, Kevin Anderson, said the finalisation of the dam’s tender process is a major milestone for the project.
“Haslin Constructions will begin early works in mid-August to upgrade the Eurobodalla Road intersection followed by clearing the site from late August. But the real action starts when the builder gets stuck into building the new storage dam in October,” Mr Anderson said
“Getting shovels in the ground is great news for the South Coast. It is the largest water infrastructure project in Eurobodalla, creating new opportunities for businesses and industries and delivering up to 87 indirect and direct jobs in the construction sector and up to 40 quarrying roles, which is a huge boost for the local economy.”
Eurobodalla Shire Council Mayor, Mathew Hatcher, said the project showcases the collaborative working relationship Council has with the Australian and New South Wales Governments.
“Our partnership with the Australian and New South Wales Governments has enabled us to push this project over the line, which is a huge win for long-term water security for Eurobodalla,” Mr Hatcher said.
“The project will complement Council’s Deep Creek Dam and water treatment plant in Batemans Bay to provide drought security and bushfire resilience for the whole shire. It will also increase capacity for peak holiday water demand and support population growth.”
