Funds flow for emergency water infrastructure

More than 30 urgent water infrastructure projects will get underway in drought stricken communities thanks to $87 million in funding from the NSW Government to help regional NSW combat the crippling drought.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro and Minister for Water Melinda Pavey made the announcement today in Dubbo following a historic Community Cabinet held in Bourke.

“The entire NSW Cabinet has now seen firsthand the severe effects of the drought, and as we look ahead at a dry summer, this funding of over $87 million for emergency water projects will help to keep our towns going strong,” Mr Barilaro said.

“These regional communities show resilience which is unparalleled, but they cannot take much more.

“As the drought worsens, this Government will do everything in its power to support regional towns and families to carry on the tradition of strong outback communities contributing to our State’s history and prosperity.

“This new funding for 30 emergency water infrastructure projects, including an additional $15 million for water carting, is on top of the extensive investment in crucial water projects and fast-tracked dams already announced by the NSW Government.

“Regional NSW is the backbone of this state and we are investing in these projects to not only provide relief to drought stricken towns, but equip them for the future.”

Ms Pavey said the funding will provide much needed relief for towns who are staring down the face of day zero.

“Flows have already ceased below Warren Weir on the Macquarie, and water releases to the Lower Namoi and Lower Darling stopped in December last year. Communities are doing it tough and need our support,” Ms Pavey said.

The $87.76 million NSW Government investment will fund the following:

• $15 million in additional funding for water carting into small regional communities,
• $38.66 million for critical town water infrastructure projects in the state’s North and West,
• $4.6 million to fund business and household water savings programs for towns most at risk and
• $29.5 million for capital water infrastructure projects, including the planning and feasibility assessments for a new pipeline to connect Nyngan and Cobar to additional water supplies.

“The new $2 million bore and pipeline in Bourke, as announced by the Premier yesterday, is an example of a vital project funded through this critical water infrastructure package,” Ms Pavey said.

“We will also see current infrastructure, such as pipelines and off-stream storages repaired and maintained to ensure not one drop of precious water is wasted.”

The NSW Government has committed more than $3 billion to drought relief and water security since 2017, which includes funding for 60 bores across 23 communities and 14 pipelines, such as that from Wentworth to Broken Hill.