The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government is investing more than $1.6 million into the Dubbo Electorate to improve water quality and security as part of its $1 billion Safe and Secure Program.
The projects include over $1.1 million for the Mudgee Water Treatment Facility upgrade, and over $500,000 to undertake a scoping study to investigate the condition of 31 bores across five Local Government Areas to improve water security.
Minister for Water, Property and Housing Melinda Pavey said NSW communities depend on access to clean water, and wastewater infrastructure that meets environmental and health standards.
“This drought is outside the history books. Over the past two years, the Macquarie River System experienced 6.7 percent of the average inflows – 97GL, instead of the average 1448GL,” Mrs Pavey said.
“This is 40 per cent lower than the millennium drought inflows.
“The NSW Government will continue to work with local councils as the water utility provider like Mid-Western Regional Council and the 11 Orana Water Utilities Alliance to provide water infrastructure to create greater security and improve the lives of locals.”
Minister Pavey said the $1.1 million for Mudgee’s treatment facility would construction, commissioning and handover phase of the project.
“This project would future proof the Treatment Plant so that the people of Mudgee have access to safe and secure drinking water.”
Member for Dubbo Dugald Saunders said many councils in the Lower Macquarie Water Utilities Alliance area rely on bores as their key water source, however the production quality and quantity of existing bores is unknown.
“The Program prioritises key water infrastructure projects – from local drought backup systems through to new or upgraded dams to secure water supplies for our regional communities,” Mr Saunders said.
“The Program is essential for regional towns like Narromine as it prioritises key water infrastructure projects – from local drought backup systems through to new or upgraded dams to secure water supplies for our communities.”
Cr Craig Davies, Mayor of Narromine Shire Council, said they welcomed the NSW Government’s contribution to the project.
“It’s important for the State Government to continue to support our region to ensure secure water for residents,” Cr Davies said.
The Safe and Secure Water Program is a $1 billion regional infrastructure co-funding program established in 2017 under the NSW Government’s Restart NSW Fund.
More information about the safe about the Safe and Secure Water Program is available here.