The New South Wales Government is strengthening and equipping local water utilities (LWUs) for the future by extending the successful $32.8 million Town Water Risk Reduction Program (TWRRP) until June 2028 to ensure regional communities can continue to rely on safe and reliable water services.
New South Wales Minister for Water, Rose Jackson, said, “The delivery of safe, secure and affordable water supply and sewerage services in regional New South Wales is paramount.
“Part of the solution is the Town Water Risk Reduction Program. We are extending the contract for another three years with additional funds to ensure we can roll out more initiatives in close partnership with LWUs.”
The program has assisted LWUs in reducing risks in town water systems throughout the state. This includes providing technical support to help councils optimise their water treatment infrastructure and boosting training opportunities to address critical workforce shortages across the sector.
The New South Wales Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water will continue to partner with the sector to understand how best to support LWUs in regional New South Wales and identify areas that need prioritisation.
Key priorities for the three-year, $15 million extended program include the delivery of a new skills and training program for LWU staff, continuing to roll out the Advanced Operational Support Program, and working with the sector to address the Productivity and Equality Commission’s Review of Funding Models for local water utilities.
“More than 90 councils right across New South Wales have partnered with this program. It’s a multi-pronged arsenal of measures with a proven track record of providing technical support and improving workforce capability and training opportunities where they’re needed most,” Ms Jackson said.
“We’re also continuing to roll out projects under the $1 billion Safe and Secure Water Program, which helps LWUs fund and implement solutions to resolve high-priority risks to their water supply and sewerage services.”
Any proposed changes to funding pathways for LWUs will require extensive consultation with the sector. This will begin in the coming weeks with the release of a discussion paper to inform the New South Wales Government’s response and implementation planning.
“This is about keeping LWUs publicly owned, effective, sustainable, and backed up with the right resources from the State Government, which is exactly what we are doing,” Ms Jackson said.
To view the New South Wales Government’s full response to the Joint Select Committee’s findings, visit the Parliament of New South Wales website.
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