The entire project is valued at more than $146 million, with the first stage fully completed in 2013. Safety upgrade works included construction of new spillways and saddle dams to reduce the risk of the dam overflowing in the event of an extreme flood.

Preliminary electrical relocation works were carried out ahead of the second stage, which focuses on strengthening the dam wall with post-tensioning cable anchors.

The $24.4 million contract will see the dam become fully compliant with NSW Dams Safety Committee standards for extreme weather events and seismic activity.

The WaterNSW project is funded by the NSW Government and is being carried out by SRG Limited, with public access to the wall cut-off until 2019.

WaterNSW chief exectuive officer, David Harris said the dam was safe for day-to-day operations, however, the “driver” for the project was safeguarding the community as knowledge around hydrology and seismology increases.

“This dam is a key piece of infrastructure servicing community and water users of the Namoi Valley,” Mr Harris said.

“I’m talking about 450 licensed irrigators and 370 gigalitres of entitlement along 590 kilometres of river.”

Gunnedah mayor Jamie Chaffey said the project would bring economic benefits to the local community.

“The commencement of the second major stage of the works on the dam is good news for the entire region. In particular I’m pleased to see that several local Gunnedah businesses have been successfully chosen as sub contractors to help to deliver the project.

“The two-year project phase will also bring economic benefit to our community throughout the region. SRG’s focus on supporting local businesses will ensure the capital expenditure feeds into Gunnedah, Tamworth and also the smaller community within the entire region during the project.

Cr Chaffey said he was thankful WaterNSW had been working closely with irrigators throughout the project as “the agriculture industry in Gunnedah shire contributes 18.5 per cent of our gross regional product and employs more than 30 per cent of our local residents”. 

WaterNSW has been in contact with recreational user groups and landowners regarding the Keepit upgrade for the past decade and will continue to keep them informed as the project progresses.

Access to recreational areas will be maintained throughout the works.