Construction of the higher dam wall, new bridge and associated road works is well under way and work on the morning glory spillway is due to commence in the coming months.

A project spokesman said the third community liaison group meeting was held last Monday, with representatives from Bowling Alley Point recreation groups, local residents and key stakeholder organisations hearing updates from the project team.

WaterNSW project manager Jubrahil Khan said he was pleased the work was on schedule and meeting safety and environmental requirements.

“Our contractor, John Holland, has been working to excavate the top of the dam wall ahead of raising it back up by eight metres, to increase the storage capacity and meet NSW Dams Safety Committee requirements,” Mr Khan said.

“The new, higher Bowling Alley Point Bridge and Tamworth-Nundle Rd are taking shape, with the roadwork 70 per cent complete and the bridge scheduled for completion mid-year.”

Works to raise the famed morning glory spillway by 6.5 metres are set to begin in July.

Last Monday’s liaison briefing included a tour of the site and details about the current water level of the dam – a result of the ongoing drought and something that had not been impacted by construction.

“Whilst the capacity of Chaffey will be limited to around 83 per cent during the works, the current level of 34 per cent is due solely to the lack of inflows, not the construction works,” Mr Khan said.

More than $1600 has now been raised by John Holland staff as a contribution to the Nundle and Woolomin schools and the Woolomin Cricket Club.

The $18 million dam safety upgrade is funded by the state government, and the $31.781 million augmentation component is funded through $18.145 million from a federal government program and $9.668 million from the state government, with Tamworth Regional Council kicking in just shy of $4 million.