Hydro Tasmania has contracted Hall Earthmoving, a Tasmanian civil construction company, to upgrade the Edgar Dam. Work will commence in late January next year.
Hydro Tasmania’s Executive General Manager of Assets and Infrastructure Jesse Clark said that Hall Earthmoving, a Tasmanian business specialising in earthfill dams, was an excellent choice.
“We’re fortunate to have a local family-owned business that can carry out technical works of this scale right at home in Tasmania,” said Clark.
Built in 1972, Edgar Dam is part of the mighty Gordon-Pedder hydropower scheme, which provides up to 13 per cent of Tasmania’s power. It is the largest water storage facility in the country, with inter-seasonal capacity that helps drought-proof the state’s energy system.
The upgrade works will enable the dam to better withstand movements in the extremely unlikely event of a major earthquake.
Director of Hall Earthmoving Chris Hall said his father, Mick Hall, started the business 40 years ago, and it was rare to see a contract of this size within their scope.
“We’re very happy that we’ve got this project. Working for Hydro Tasmania in this capacity has been a long-term goal of the business,” Chris Hall said. “The Edgar Dam project is something I’m very passionate about, my team’s very passionate about, and I’ve got a great mentor in my father.”
Hydro Tasmania proactively adopted stringent environmental controls to protect the sensitive Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area surrounding the work site. The project also met the Federal Government’s environmental requirements and was deemed not to be a controlled action.
Measures include regular washdown stops for vehicles and machinery, driving only at certain times, dim downward-facing lights, and low noise emissions at night.
“It’s a big task, but we feel confident because we have experience working in these areas, like on the West Coast, and understand how remote and sensitive that environment is,” said Mr Hall.
The Edgar Dam campground and boat ramp will be closed during the upgrade works, which are scheduled to finish mid-2026.
Scotts Peak Road will remain open, but due to reduced speed limits and increased project traffic, road users should allow for longer travel times for 18 months starting 28 January 2025.
For further information, please visit https://connect.hydro.com.au/edgar-dam-strengthening-project.
Related Articles:
- Water availability remains high according to Annual Water Outlook
- Melbourne water storage levels remain secure
- New LiDAR drones surveying infrastructure