The New South Wales Government and Port Macquarie-Hastings Council (PMHC) are partnering to invest $2.3 million into planned projects to improve water infrastructure across the region, including a new water treatment plant, larger water distribution system and major upgrade of a sewage treatment plant.
The New South Wales Government’s Safe and Secure Program is providing $450,000 for the Cowarra Water Treatment Plant and Northern Arm Trunk Pipeline design and investigations with $1.35 million from PMHC.
The program is also investing a further $125,000 to support the Wauchope Sewage Treatment Plant upgrade designs along with $375,000 from Council.
New South Wales Minister for Water, Rose Jackson, said the projects would overhaul the water supply network for more than 101,000 people in Port Macquarie, Wauchope and Camden Haven and improve sewage services for nearly 14,000 residents in Wauchope and Beechwood.
“The Mid-North Coast is one of the fastest growing regions in New South Wales and improving water and sewerage infrastructure is absolutely crucial to ensure these communities have access to necessary resources.” Ms Jackson said.
“Our investment will enable Council to get on with the job of completing the concept design, environmental assessments, and tender documentation for the Cowarra Water Treatment Plant, 15.5km Northern Arm Trunk Pipeline (south of Cowarra Dam) and Wauchope Sewage Treatment Plant upgrade.
“This is about helping Council drive these projects forward so they can get shovels in the ground faster to provide safer, more reliable and resilient water and sewage infrastructure across the Port Macquarie Hastings region.”
Port Macquarie-Hastings Mayor, Peta Pinson, welcomed the New South Wales Government’s support, which is expected to help get the ball rolling on improving water and sewerage services.
“It is so encouraging to see these projects moving in the right direction because we need to plan for the future to ensure our water and wastewater infrastructure can keep pace with demand,” Mayor Pinson said.
“We are working proactively with the State Government to finish all the engineering, design and environmental groundwork that underpins these major projects, so we can deliver new infrastructure that will benefit the region for the next few decades.”
