AVIEMORE PROJECT

Press, Volume C, Issue 29488, 14 April 1961, Page 20

AVIEMORE PROJECT

Start Possible Early In 1962 "The Press" Special Service WELLINGTON. April 12. A start on construction of permanent works at the Aviemore hydro project on the Waitaki river, may be made at the beginning of next year. Only just recently approved, the scheme, which will have a capacity of 200,000 kw or more, is scheduled for completion by early 1968. Having completed investigations of the feasibility of the site, Ministry of Works engineers are now engaged in further preliminary survey work for the power design office, and a start on the construction of permanent works is not anticipated until early 1962. Because of the overlapping of the Aviemore and Benmore projects, a number of additional homes will have to be erected at Otematata, the well-appointed Ministry of Works temporary township a few miles down the Waitaki river. Those going to Aviemore, however, will be men at present engaged at Benmore and experienced in investigations and rock excavation. In addition to Aviemore, investigations for the Upper Waitaki schemes are being intensified, and more forces will be necessary in this area to ensure that enough field information is available to make a decision on these projects within the next two years In the light of present information these schemes will mean excava-

tion for. and construction of, extensive open races, two earth dams and three power stations at Maryburn, Lake Pukaki and on the Ohau river near the head of the Benmore range.