Water

Warragamba dam to reopen this weekend after a $240 million upgrade

Warragamba dam

  • Status: Complete
  • Electorate: Wollondilly
  • Start:
  • Finish: November 2009
  • Cost estimate: $240 Million

Warrgamba Dam grounds will be reopened to the public this Sunday after being closed for more than a decade to undergo a $240 million upgrade of the precinct. 

Before its closure Warragamba Dam attracted hundreds of thousands of people annually and was one of the most visited tourist destinations in Sydney.

Since its closure in 1998, Warragamba Dam has undergone a major $240 million upgrade and new facilities including new viewing platforms, visitors centre, shade shelters, picnic tables, seating and toilets.

Families are encouraged to return to their favorite picnic spot, and enjoy the new and improved recreational facilities, including spectacular views of Lake Burragorang behind the dam wall and views of the dam itself. They can also take advantage of the free shuttle bus service that will run from Penrith rail station.

The $240 million program of major upgrades included:

  • $111 million auxiliary spillway to withstand a worst-case scenario flood
  • $62 million constructing the deep water pumping station and other works to allow access to deep water in the dam
  • $23 million to upgrading of the dam’s entire electrical network
  • $20 million visitor’s centre and new operations building under construction
  • $15 million upgrade the valve house lifts, crest cranes and stoplog rails
  • $9 million replacing pipeline valves, spares and inspections as well as fencing and painting.

Families visiting are able to learn about the dam, its history and the drinking water catchments from more than 30 signs throughout the precinct.

The grounds will be opened from 8th November 2009 8am-5pm weekdays and 8am-6pm on weekends and public holidays. After daylights savings have ended, the grounds will be open 8am-5pm seven days a week.

On weekends in November 2009, free shuttle buses will be in operation from Penrith train station to Warragamba Dam Grounds. The buses will leave from Penrith station to Warragamba Dam each hour from 8.30am to 3.30pm, and the bus trip takes approximately 40 minutes.