Armidale Regional Council to start implementing Dumaresq Dam Master Plan next year

Armidale Regional Council will execute their master plan after administrator Ian Tiley green-lighted the project in a council meeting last week.

Walking tracks, mountain bike trails, water-based activity hire, and barbecue facilities will also be developed.

The decision to expand the recreational side of the park also firms Council’s commitment to upgrading the Dam wall.

Though the master plan was separate to the dam wall safety program, regional services director Andre Kompler said Council was committed to the upgrade.

“The dam is Council property and at the end of the day, Council is responsible for its maintenance and upkeep,” Mr Krompler said.

The Dumaresq Dam wall was identified as one of the highest priority dams in NSW in need of an upgrade.

”The upgrade will bring the wall up to ANCOLD standards,” he said.

Tenders the wall project will be filled by July 2017.

And construction is expected to be completed in the following financial year

Council received only six submissions on the master plan during the 42-day public exhibition period, mostly in favor of the project.

The key focus of the park is to offer non-structured activities that support and enhance tourism and economic growth in the area, Council’s report says.

A new $138,000 toilet block will be the first priority followed by improvements to road access and parking.

Regional infrastructure director Rob Shaw said an environmentally sustainable toilet facility was key to unlocking the park’s potential.

“We are in a detailed planning stage at the moment,” Mr Shaw said.

“We we need to get the infrastructure in place first before we think about bringing campers back.”

Council currently has $340,000 allocated to the recreational area and about $3 million allocated for the wall upgrade.