In 2006, the former Department of Water Affairs and Forestry expected to spend approximately R4 billion on De Hoop Dam projects and water schemes. The construction of the dam started in 2007 using National Treasury funds whilst the finance agreements were being put in place. In 2007, the Department rolled over R260 million from 2006 for the construction of De Hoop Dam. The same amount was, again, rolled over from 2007/08 to 2008/09 due to delays in obtaining the environmental impact assessment for the De Hoop Dam project. The Department further rolled over funds amounting to R227 million from the 2008/09 to 2009/10 for the construction of the De Hoop Dam project. Departmental infrastructure spending was expected to increase from R1.7 billion in 2009/10 to R2.1 billion in 2012/13. Most of this expenditure would be allocated to the second phase of the Oliphants River water resource development project, which included the construction of De Hoop Dam.