REPRESENTATIVES from Copeton Waters State Park, local councils, interest groups and neighbouring landowners met with Copeton upgrade project managers at the first community construction liaison group meeting on Wednesday.

The group was formed following invitations from project manager State Water and is designed to keep stakeholders up-to-date on progress and address any potential concerns as they arise.

State Water upgrade site co-ordinator, Duncan Wilson, said a similar liaison group format worked well during construction on the Keepit upgrade.

“Given this is such a significant project for the local area and is such close proximity to the State Park, State Water wanted to make sure they are in close communication with those who may be affected,” Mr Wilson said.

“The meetings worked well during the recent works at Keepit and give those involved direct access to the project managers and contractors to discuss any issues they might have,” he said.

Trial blasting to excavate rock and earth and make way for the new spillway is progressing well, Mr Wilson said.

“At this stage project contractor Macmahon are pleased with how the rock has performed and will continue to follow their excavation program,” Mr Wilson said.

Construction on the temporary diversion road around the construction area is scheduled to commence next week.

“The diversion road should be operational late this year and the current access road will remain until the alternative is functioning,” Mr Wilson said.

The Copeton upgrade involves construction of a 250-metre-wide, four bay, fuseplug spillway to enable the dam to safely pass extreme floods.

The upgrade is one of seven State Water is managing throughout regional NSW to bring the structures in line with NSW Dams Safety Committee standards.

Between five and 10 million dollars is expected to be injected into the local economy during construction through accommodating workers and their families and sourcing labour, subcontractors and supplies locally.

© 2011 Inverell Times

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