The New South Wales Government has announced $94,500 in drought emergency funding, to assist water supply projects in Central Tablelands communities.
This latest round of funding brings the total provided by the government to Central Tablelands Water (CTW) to $1.19 million and will benefit communities across the Bathurst and Cootamundra regions.
Member for Bathurst, Paul Toole, said the funding will deliver a pump and pontoon to access ‘dead water’ at Lake Rowlands.
“While the drought has eased for some parts of New South Wales, water supplies for Bathurst, Cowra, Orange and their surrounding communities continue to be stretched,” Mr Toole said.
“CTW has worked closely with Orange City and Cowra City Councils to develop solutions that will allow for bi-directional pumping of water through existing pipelines that connect Cowra, Central Tablelands and Orange.
“Orange City Council has been granted up to $5.5 million for the pipeline work, which will enhance CTW’s water network for the benefit of all their customers.
“Lake Rowlands is currently down to only 35 per cent of its capacity but some of the supply currently can’t be accessed.
“The pontoon and pump will allow CTW to progress with their plans to access that dead storage water and pump it to the existing outlet supplying the villages of Woodstock and Gooloogong.”
Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke, said CTW manages water supply for almost 10,000 people across a number of council areas and these projects will safeguard this supply should the drought continue.
“The funding will support many communities serviced by CTW such as Blayney, Carcoar, Canowindra, Manildra and Grenfell,” Ms Cooke said.
New South Wales Minister for Water, Property and Housing, Melinda Pavey, said the state government is committed to supporting water security for regional communities across the State.
“Water security for towns in regional New South Wales is a priority for the government and through the drought emergency relief fund we will continue to work with local councils and water utilities to ensure they have the infrastructure and support needed.”
