Two major projects that will increase water security and drought resistance in Central West communities (NSW) have received NSW Government funding of almost $38 million.
NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional Infrastructure and Services Troy Grant and Minister for Natural Resources, Lands and Water Kevin Humphries joined Orange MP Andrew Gee at Suma Park Dam for the announcement.
Mr Grant said the NSW Government has allocated funding from the Water Security for Regions program to support a new regional distribution network that will provide water security to 27 regional centres, covering a population of 59,000 people.
“In a first for NSW, a new pipeline will provide a means to flow water in both directions between the Macquarie and Lachlan catchments to offset dry localised conditions,” Mr Grant said.
“The pipeline will connect these two vulnerable catchments and provide an efficient redistribution of water supply across the Central West.
“The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government has reserved $366 million under Water Security for Regions to help our communities prepare and respond to drier conditions.
In the Central West, the Water for Security for Regions funding will support the regional pipeline which comprises projects:
- $21.2 million for Orange Council and Central Tablelands Water’s proposal for a potable water supply pipeline from Orange to Blayney and Carcoar Dam in five stages; and
- $16.7 million for Orange Council and Cabonne Council’s proposal for a potable water pipeline from Orange to Molong Dam and then from Molong to Cumnock and Yeoval.
Mr Humphries said he was pleased the funding would be put to good use across the State with regional NSW set to benefit from improved water access and supplies.
“The NSW Government’s funding will underpin total investment across these two projects of around $59 million to improve the overall secure water yield and at the same time help connect water treatment plants and raw water sources to strengthen drought resistance for a large area of the Central West,” Mr Humphries said.
“These projects will improve economic growth and productivity, while providing greater access to water.”
Mr Gee said he was proud the NSW Government is working in partnership with local councils to provide water security and drought resistance for generations to come.
“Water security is one of the greatest challenges facing regional NSW. If our communities can’t source water, they can’t grow. This announcement revolutionises water management in the Central West. It’s a true game changer,” Mr Gee said.
“On top of that it finally connects the two heartland communities of Cumnock and Yeoval to a potable water supply for the very first time. They no longer need to rely on tanks and bores.”
Successful projects are selected by a Regional Independent Assessment Panel.