Lightning Ridge will benefit from greater water security thanks to a $2.6 million investment from the Australian and NSW Governments to deliver a new 5.1 km pipeline, upgraded booster pumps and high-tech monitoring equipment to improve the reliability of the town’s water supply.
Water in Lightning Ridge is usually sourced from two bores about five kilometres apart. However, since 2023, the town has been reduced to a single operational bore after infrastructure at one site failed due to age, corrosion, and extensive weather damage.
“About 600,000 Australians live in places without access to clean drinking water and many need to boil their water for safe consumption. That’s not good enough,” Minister for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek said. “That’s why we are investing in critical water infrastructure upgrades in rural and remote locations like Lightning Ridge.
The original pipeline, which transferred water from one bore into town, had to be taken offline last year after it showed significant signs of rusting and water loss, putting local water quality at risk.
“It is unacceptable in 2024 that any water network in NSW should be at risk of failure, which is why we have been working proactively with the Australian Government to get this funding over the line,” NSW Minister for Water Rose Jackson said. “Lightning Ridge is one of the most remote and driest locations in the state, so it is a non-negotiable they should have the right infrastructure to safeguard their water supply.”
Since then, the remote community’s water supply has been under immense pressure, prompting state and federal Governments to fast-track funding for infrastructure upgrades to reinstate the bore.
Once completed, the project will boost water reliability and add an extra 407 megalitres of water into the system, ensuring Lightning Ridge’s residents, businesses, and public facilities continue to have access to safe and secure water.
“These projects are providing a real difference for communities – improving resident health and wellbeing and boosting the local economy,” Plibersek said.
The work will also save Walgett Shire Council hundreds of thousands of dollars in unscheduled maintenance costs. These accumulated after floodwater damaged the pipeline and pumps in 2022 and 2023, requiring ongoing monthly repairs.
Lightning Ridge is the largest town in the Walgett Shire area. It is home to 1,946 residents, 25 per cent of whom identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
“The town is home to a significant local Aboriginal and mining community, as well as being a popular destination for tens of thousands of tourists to visit every year,” Jackson said.
“This investment will ensure everyone has greater access to water to keep up with demand and prevent any impacts to essential services, including the local school, hospital and fire station.”
The Australian Government funds the project through its National Water Grid Fund, which is in partnership with the NSW Government. Each has contributed $1.3 million.
The Australian Government investment forms part of its $150 million commitment to support water infrastructure in First Nations communities in regional and remote Australia.
The project will begin in early 2025 and is expected to take at least 12 months to complete.
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