Work on the Water NSW project was expected to finish this year but a WaterNSW spokesperson said additional strengthening works need to be carried out on the spillway section of the dam.

"The post-tensioning project remains on budget, but the completion date is likely to be late 2019 or early 2020 as some additional strengthening work, outside the original scope, is undertaken.

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They said the additional works were "outside the original scope", but otherwise, the post-tensioning project is at 80 per cent and "remains on budget".

"Work to ensure that Keepit Dam continues to meet contemporary safety standards is well advanced," the spokesperson said.

The current phase of work involves the installation of post-tensioned cables on the concrete section of the dam wall.

Construction for the bearing pad for all spillway pier anchors has been completed and more than 90 per cent of drilling on the abutments and the spillway section of the dam is finished. Almost 70 per cent of the cable anchors have been secured in the foundations through existing concrete

Workers will continue installing, stressing and testing anchors on the spillway piers and left-hand abutment, and soon start drilling inclined holes for cable anchors through existing concrete of the spillway piers.

The $100 million-dollar project will see the dam become fully compliant with NSW Dams Safety Committee standards for extreme weather events and seismic activity. SRG is undertaking the works.

The WaterNSW project is funded by the NSW Government, with public access to the wall cut-off until further notice.

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