Today's official opening of the Eildon dam improvement project has commemorated a substantial safety upgrade to the dam for the benefit of northern Victoria.
The works were officially opened by the Premier, Steve Bracks, and the Minister for Water, John Thwaites, as part of a family day at the dam wall.
Goulburn-Murray Water Chairperson Don Cummins said he was extremely pleased to see such a large undertaking to upgrade the safety of Victoria 's largest state dam delivered successfully, as the dam is critical to the prosperity of northern Victoria.
""The water supplied from Eildon supports over $1.4 billion in agricultural production and a regional economy of $8 billion per annum, is used to produced hydroelectricity, provides urban supplies for communities and industry, and underpins the local tourism industry,"" Mr Cummins said.
""This substantial safety upgrade not only helps to provide greater safety for the community, it also provides greater certainty of water supply and continued economic growth.
""In delivering this upgrade successfully, Goulburn-Murray Water has demonstrated its ability to deliver major projects within agreed time and budget, and I am proud of the world-class technical capability of our organisation.""
The Eildon dam improvement project was delivered through an innovative partnership between Goulburn-Murray Water and its ‘Eildon Alliance' partners, John Holland, GHD and Hazell Brothers, and is one of six dam risk reduction projects undertaken by Goulburn-Murray Water to date.
The works at Eildon included strengthening the spillway and reconstructing the upper 10 metres of embankment, which was then raised by 5.5 metres to ensure safety for the dam and communities during extreme floods.
Goulburn-Murray Water and the Eildon Alliance, as part of a legacy of the project, have also constructed a boat ramp at the dam for the community.
The cost of the project has been shared between the Victorian Government and Goulburn-Murray Water via its customers.
""Having both the Premier and Minister for Water preside over today's opening was a wonderful endorsement for the success of this major project,"" Mr Cummins said.
""I also thank the Government and the local community for their support of a project so vital to northern Victoria.""