The Upper Mole River Dam project involves the construction of a new 100-gigalitre rockfill dam in the Border Rivers region of NSW. The catchment area services both NSW and Queensland users.
Key Dates
| Oct 2019 | Project Announcement |
| Jan 2021 | Expected Final Investment Decision |
| 2024 | Expected Construction Commencement |
| 2027 | Expected Construction Completion |
Funding contributions
| Federal Government | |
| NSW Government |
Procurement
| Procuring Agency: | Water Infrastructure NSW (WINSW) |
| Related contracts: |
PROJECT HISTORY
| Jun 2018 | WaterNSW’s 20-Year Infrastructure Options Study listed a new 100-gigalitre dam on the Mole River as a preferred option for increased water security in the Border Rivers region. |
| Oct 2019 | The Federal and NSW Governments each committed $12 million towards a $24 million Final Business Case. This was announced as part of a $1 billion package to upgrade or build new dams in drought-affected NSW regions. Half of the Federal Government's commitment was to be funded from the National Water Infrastructure Development Fund with the other half provided through the National Water Infrastructure Loan Facility. |
| Jan 2020 | WaterNSW commenced the EOI process for Planning and Development Consultants. |
| Mar 2020 | WaterNSW engaged SMEC to undertake design and environmental works for the project. |
| May 2020 | WaterNSW awarded WaterSecure, a Joint Venture between Aurecon and KBR, the Portfolio Delivery Management Partner contract to oversee its water infrastructure project portfolio. |
| Jul 2020 | The NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment issued the Secretary’s Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs) for the Dungowan Dam, Wyangala Dam and Upper Mole River Dam projects ahead of the Environmental Impact Statement preparation. |
| Nov 2020 | The 2020-21 NSW Budget confirmed the 2019 commitment to fund the final business case. |
| Dec 2020 | WaterNSW opened EOIs for pre-qualification for the Business Case and Economic Advisory Services for the Upper Mole River Dam and Dungowan Dam projects. |
| Jul 2021 | From 1 July 2021, responsibility for the Mole River Dam project transitioned from WaterNSW to the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment’s Water Infrastructure NSW (WINSW), which is a Division of the Water Group. |
| May 2022 | Infrastructure NSW's 2022 State Infrastructure Strategy recommended the project be re-sequenced to avoid delivery risks caused by complexity and a shortage of skilled labour. |
| Jun 2022 | Following the release of the NSW 2022 State Infrastructure Strategy and the second draft of the Regional Water Strategy for the Border Rivers, the NSW Government confirmed the project would not proceed. |
Sector
Water & Sewerage
Procurement approach
Unconfirmed |
Location
New South Wales |
Resources
