Construction will begin on a $7.6 million critical infrastructure project aimed at boosting drought resilience in Forbes, NSW and deliver more reliable water to more than 7000 residents.
The funding includes $4.6 million from the NSW Government and $3 million from Forbes Shire Council to deliver two new production bores, two test bores and a 5.3km duplication pipeline, giving the town a more reliable water source.
The new pipeline will run alongside the existing one that pumps water from the borefield to the Forbes Water Treatment Plant.
“Forbes was one of the many Central West communities hit hard by the last drought, the state’s worst on record, which is why we are working collaboratively with Forbes Shire Council to help lock-in better water security,” said Kirsty Fenton, NSW DCCEEW Director of Grants Programs.
“New infrastructure is the key to putting towns like Forbes in a stronger position to manage critical town water supply during a drought emergency.”
While the Lachlan River is the region’s main water supply, the town switches to bore water during dry periods when water in the river is too low or unsuitable for treatment.
The existing three bores and pipeline can only provide up to 10ml of water per day, which is not enough to service the town during peak demand periods when daily water consumption can reach up to 17ml.
The new infrastructure will increase capacity by up to 80 per cent and provide a more robust water network that will ease pressure on the system and ensure residents have enough water to withstand the dry spells.
“No one in our community will forget the last drought when water in the Lachlan River was so low we had to rely on two emergency bores for six months, which was a struggle,” said Phyllis Miller, Forbes Shire Council Mayor.
“That’s why we’re doing everything we can to expand our existing network to ensure we have the right infrastructure at hand to continue delivering safer and more secure water to residents no matter what comes our way.”
Construction of the Forbes Water Supply Scheme is expected to finish in October 2027.
The nearly $5 million in funding is part of the NSW Government’s Safe and Secure Water Program, supporting up to $1 billion in water infrastructure projects across the state. More than 260 projects are currently in various stages of delivery.
