A joint investment from Federal and New South Wales governments is kickstarting the development of a landmark water infrastructure project in Kempsey.
The funding will go towards building a new state-of-the-art filtration plant on the mid-north coast to treat raw water from the Steuart McIntyre Dam and Sherwood Borefield
The $52.9 million project aims to future-proof the drinking supply of Kempsey, Frederickton, Smithtown and Gladstone, and is backed by $12.5 million from the Federal Government’s National Water Grid Fund, $13.2 million from the New South Wales Government’s Safe and Secure Water Program and $27.1 million from Kempsey Shire Council.
The new plant, located at the dam, is part of the New South Wales Government’s plan to provide the Kempsey Lower Macleay region with a more robust, drought resilient drinking water system.
The 2500ML Steuart McIntyre Dam stores water from the Sherwood Borefield, located 2km away, and was built in response to the 1994 drought.
The new high-tech water treatment plant will be more efficient, lower carbon emissions and significantly boost water security and quality across the network that supplies more than 18,000 residents.
The project also includes new pumps, tanks and a pipeline to connect this world-class facility to the dam and borefield.
Construction will get underway in mid-2025 and is expected to take 18 months to complete.
It builds on a further $2 million investment from the New South Wales Government and $6 million from Kempsey Shire Council for a new $8 million water treatment plant at Willawarrin that will lock-in high quality drinking water for the village’s 130 residents for decades to come.
The New South Wales Government’s Safe and Secure Water Program is supporting more than $1 billion worth of projects across the state, with more than 260 in various stages of delivery.
Federal Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek, said, the Federal Government is delivering crucial projects to safeguard water resources for the communities, industries and environments that rely on them.
“That’s why we’re investing in Kempsey’s water supply and it’s why we will continue to work with the New South Wales Government on improving water security and reliability across the state,” she said.
“This upgrade is about more than delivering critical water infrastructure, it’s a cost of living measure that will benefit the community long term.”
New South Wales Minister for Water and the North Coast, Rose Jackson, said, “It’s fantastic to see this investment in critical infrastructure that will deliver long-term water security for Kempsey and surrounding communities.
“We learnt valuable lessons from the last drought, and this project makes sure the region is more resilient and better prepared to face future challenges.
“With world class technology, better efficiency, and lower carbon emissions, this new plant will be a game changer. It will lock in water security for Kempsey and the surrounding townships, ensuring there is capacity to handle population growth, while also delivering the best possible water quality straight to the taps of residents and businesses.”
Kempsey Shire Council Mayor, Kinne Ring, said, “We are committed to providing clean and reliable drinking water that protects the health of communities and minimises impacts on the environment. This project delivers on that, and more for the community.
“The significant investment will deliver on local jobs that will be created during the construction phase, which is a big win for the local economy. The plant will also be safer and more efficient to operate and maintain, allowing the Council to make better use of our resources.
“We’ve already partnered with the New South Wales Government on a number of water and sewerage projects across the Shire and we’re grateful for their ongoing support, as well as the Federal Government, in ensuring the community is equipped for the future.”
