Nyngan and its water security have been bolstered by the completion of the new $2 million Belaringar Creek Syphon, fully funded by the NSW Government and delivered in partnership with Bogan Shire Council.
The pipeline, built under Belaringar Creek in 1942, transports raw water from the Albert Priest Channel to Nyngan, which is critical for the town’s water supply.
“While the wider water security project has other components we’re still working on, the completion of the Belaringar Creek Syphon Replacement in time for summer when water evaporates fastest is a huge win for our residents and businesses,” Bogan Shire Council Mayor Glen Neill said. “Council values the continued strong relationship with the NSW Government, which has resulted in some big gains on the water infrastructure front for Nyngan over the past few years, that will help stand our community in good stead for the future.”
However, the original infrastructure had leaked in recent years due to its old age, causing significant water losses and impacting the town’s drought resilience.
“The old Belaringar Creek Syphon was a stalwart for more than eight decades, but it had never had a major upgrade and was badly leaking, which is why we agreed with Council that replacing it should be high on our priority list,” NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Executive Director of Development – Water, Lisa Hingerty said. “Reducing water loss and waste is a key piece of the water security jigsaw for this region. The newly minted syphon will be a game-changer in improving efficiency and shoring up Nyngan’s supply over the long term, especially when water is scarce.
“While this major work is now signed, sealed and delivered – we’ve got more where that came from with investigations continuing into a new bore and pipeline to lock in more water supply for Nyngan,” Hingerty said. “There has never been a more important time to prepare our regional towns for the challenges of a changing climate, including ensuring local water infrastructure is up to scratch.”
The replacement 900-mm-diameter, 177-metre syphon will send its first consignment of water from the Macquarie River before Christmas. This will be the first water transfer from the channel in more than two months, which is excellent news for the community.
It’s part of a $7.23 million package from the NSW Critical Drought Fund. It also includes funding for a new town bore and pipeline currently in the planning and development phase to provide an alternative water supply for Nyngan to lean on during droughts.
The NSW Government also delivered a second $7.7 million off-stream emergency storage facility next to the Bogan River at the end of 2023. It also funded $2.8 million in repairs to the first storage facility nearby to address leaks and ensure it was ready for the next dry spell.
To learn more, visit Water Infrastructure Grants and Funding