Lobbying Puts Better Water Security In Pipeline For Boorowa

Close to 12 months of intense lobbying by Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke and the Boorowa community has helped secure over half a million dollars in State funding towards finding a solution to the town’s ongoing water supply issues.

“I’m certainly pleased that having raised the issue again last week directly with the Minister, that the NSW Labor Government has finally acknowledged the concerns of local residents and of Hilltops Council, and has taken steps to rectify the problems around water quality in Boorowa once and for all,” Ms Cooke said.

“The current situation in Boorowa is of course simply unacceptable, and so today’s news that the NSW Labor Government has signed-off on an investment of just over half a million dollars, means that - together with a similar investment from Hilltops Council - close to one million dollars will now go towards a feasibility study to explore the option of constructing a water pipeline from Harden to Boorowa.

“This is a significant first step towards finding a lasting solution to what has become an untenable problem for Boorowa residents, who are still dealing with a boil water alert for what will be the third week in a row”

Together, the NSW Government’s Safe and Secure Water Program and Hilltops Council have funded Boorowa’s path to improved water to the tune of $825,000.

The Harden to Boorowa Pipeline, a significant project to deliver top quality water to residents and businesses in Boorowa by connecting the township to Goldenfields Water County Council’s water supply network from the Murrumbidgee River at Jugiong; a network that already services towns including Harden, Young and Galong.

The NSW Government has given Hilltops Council a further $150,000 as part of its new Advanced Operational Support Program which will enable them to optimise the performance of the community’s water treatment plant by making permanent upgrades.

The program also includes regular on-the-ground support from water technicians from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water who will help local water operators address any future treatment or water quality issues.

NSW Minister for Water Rose Jackson said the NSW Government was committed to doing everything it can to ensure regional communities had access to safe, drinkable water as the bare minimum.

“Progress on the Harden to Boorowa Pipeline project is part of our comprehensive plan to improve water quality, not just for Boorowa but for hundreds of rural towns across the state.,” Ms Jackson said

“We are committed to building crucial infrastructure to help deliver better water security and quality for generations to come.

“Resilient and thriving communities need to know their town water supply is safe and reliable, this announcement is a key part of this work.”

Hilltops Council Mayor Marg Roles said Council was very happy to be progressing the project alongside partners at the NSW Government and Goldenfields Water.

“The start of this phase is a very important step towards providing long-term water security for our customers in Boorowa,” Ms Roles said.

“We look forward to working with the NSW Government and Commonwealth Government to explore funding options for the construction stage of this project.”

Regional specialists DGP Water Pty Ltd have won the competitive tender process to conduct the next crucial phase of work, including detailed geotechnical investigations, concept design, environmental assessments and approvals and cost estimates.

The work should be completed mid year.

• Topics:

• Water