Upper Teddington Dam Safety Project
Project Timeline
The project will take place in three phases:
- Phase 1 (2023-24): Early planning, environmental, heritage, cultural heritage, and engineering assessments of the site.
- Phase 2 (2025): Appointment of Design Consultant to identify project delivery options, and progress engineering investigations.
- Phase 3 (2026-27): Appointment of contractor, and delivery of works.
The above timeline is subject to assessments, on-ground and construction industry conditions.
Current status: A design consultant has been engaged to identify options to improve the dam safety levels. The options must comply with relevant legislation and consider the impact of the project on environment, heritage, and community amenity. A final option has not been determined.
Last updated: February 2025
Project background
This project is being delivered on Dja Dja Wurrung Country.
Upper Teddington Reservoir is located on Strathfillian Creek in the Kara Kara National Park, situated just upstream from the newer Lower Teddington Reservoir. The Upper Reservoir is over 130 years old, and was originally designed to supply water to the town of St Arnaud. The Reservoir provided a continuous supply of water to the town for almost 90 years, until an alternative supply was eventually found. Currently, water from the Upper Reservoir feeds into the Lower Reservoir.
Engineers undertook a risk assessment of the Upper Teddington Reservoir in 2020, and found it posed a long-term safety risk to the community due to ageing infrastructure.
Due to the potential long-term safety risks, Parks Victoria has made the decision to undertake works to improve safety levels at Upper Teddington Dam in the Kara Kara National Park.
Staying updated
You can stay informed by subscribing for community updates on this project.
FAQs
Why are upgrade works required at Upper Teddington Dam?
Engineers undertook a risk assessment of the Upper Teddington Dam in 2020, and found it posed a long-term safety risk to the community due to ageing infrastructure.
The priority for Parks Victoria is to manage this risk and to ensure the safety of visitors and the community.
Decisions on dam maintenance and upgrades will be made in line with Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action’s (DEECA) compliance and safety guidelines.
What will the upgrades look like?
Options to improve the dam’s safety are currently being explored. The options will identify the best long-term strategy to reduce the risks associated with ageing infrastructure.
What environmental and cultural heritage management is being undertaken?
Comprehensive planning, environmental and heritage assessments are being undertaken as part of the project.
Will the project impact water supply to the community?
No. The project will not impact clean water supply to the community. Any questions regarding water supply should be directed to the responsible authority, Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water.
Questions relating to the Southern Wimmera and Northeast Pyrenees Rural Water Supply project can be directed to the Northern Grampians Shire Council on 03 5358 8600 or ngshire@ngshire.vic.gov.au.
How will key stakeholders and the local community be engaged?
Council will convene a community and agency reference group for the project. Updates on the reference group and outcomes of the dam safety investigations will be provided throughout the project. Please sign up to receive updates.