BUSINESSES in and around Inverell have been kept busy, supplying goods and services for the ongoing upgrade of Copeton Dam.
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More than 30 businesses from Inverell and the wider New England North West region have been involved in providing supplies for the
$60 million project that on completion will enable the dam to safely pass in the event of extreme floods.
Inverell Bearing Centre owner Dean Alexander said the upgrade had been beneficial to his business.
“We’ve been supplying hydraulic hoses, bearings and associated equipment such as oil pumps for the big machinery at the dam,” Mr Alexander said.
“We’ve put in a new crimper to make the bigger hydraulic hoses to cater for the Copeton works.”
Inverell Aggregate Supplies owner Mark Bath echoed the sentiment.
“We’ve supplied the sand and aggregate for the onsite concrete batching plant and sand for the fuse-plug spillway walls.
“It’s helped the cash flow over the winter months.”
In Moree, Coates Hire area manager Glenn Adams said Copeton was one of a number of upgrades the company had supplied to.
“We’ve supplied some equipment for Copeton and the Chaffey and Keepit upgrades,” Mr Adams said.
“At Copeton we’re supplying a compressor and some elevated work platforms including a 41m boom lift for working on the fuse-plug walls.
“It’s been good for business; particularly because it’s a high profile job with the main road overlooking the works.”
In Tamworth, Blackwoods manager Peter Owen said his company had also supplied for Keepit upgrade.
“The sales we’ve been getting from the upgrades have been excellent,” Mr Owen said.
“As industrial suppliers we’ve been able to provide a range of products to Macmahon, from power tools to safety gear and various other materials.”
State Water project manager for the upgrade, Nava Jeyachandran, said work on the project was now about 70 per cent complete.
Excavation works have been finished and three of the spillway divider walls constructed.
“Work to reconstruct Fossicker’s Way is well advanced and the project is progressing to schedule,” he said.
The sixth meeting of the Copeton community construction liaison group was held at the dam on Tuesday to update key stakeholders on the works and provide a forum to discuss any issues. Construction is scheduled to be completed by early 2013.
