Tamworth residents are invited to learn more about the proposed infrastructure projects designed to lock in water security and boost drought resilience for the region at community information sessions.
The NSW Government, in partnership with Tamworth Regional Council, will share details on the investigations into the feasibility of building an industrial advanced water treatment plant, which would reduce the reliance on Tamworth’s town water supply along with intervalley pipelines and off-river storages to help future-proof water resources.
“Water security is front and centre for Tamworth residents, which is why we’re asking locals to come along and get their heads around the detail of each project that is designed to help take pressure off town water supplies, diversify water sources and make the most of the water the region already has,” NSW DCCEW Executive Director Infrastructure Development Lisa Hingerty said.
“We’re putting forward a multi-pronged approach to bolster drought resilience and unlock economic growth for the city without increasing demands on Tamworth’s water network.
These options are shortlisted in the Namoi Regional Water Strategy, providing a roadmap to more secure water for Tamworth over the next 20 to 40 years.”
The $6 million Full Business Case, which is looking at constructing a water treatment plant that could recycle up to 12 ML of water per day from large food processors, is being jointly funded by the Australian Government’s National Water Grid Fund and the NSW Government.
The $3 million Preliminary Business Case is delving into building pipelines connecting the city to Keepit or Split Rock Dams in the west and/or the Manning Valley in the east and new water storages. It is being fully funded by the NSW Government.
Work has progressed well over the past year, with both business cases expected to be completed by mid-2025.
“Our water security planning team meet regularly with the Australian and NSW governments about these two business cases and given the importance of water security to our community, it’s timely to provide an update on how they are progressing,” Tamworth Mayor Russell Webb said.
“We look forward to having clear business cases on what happens next and aligning the water security plan currently being developed to bring more certainty for our community ahead of the next drought, which could be just around the corner.”
NSW DCCEEW is hosting an information stall at Shoppingworld in Tamworth on Wednesday, 26 February, and Thursday, 27 February, 2025, from 9 am to 5 pm to give residents a better understanding of these projects and to enable them to ask questions and provide feedback. People are also invited to attend a webinar on Monday, 24 February, 2025 from 5.30 pm to 6.30 pm.
“We know Tamworth is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, which is why we’ve been investigating the viability of building new infrastructure to put the region in a stronger position to weather the next dry period,” Hingerty said.
“The community information sessions will be a great opportunity to meet the project team face-to-face, ask questions about the progress of the business cases and find out about the next steps, which is why I encourage everyone to come along.”
Webb said, “I would like to see lots of people coming to these community information sessions and the webinar because this is the best way to get up to speed with these critical projects that could transform water security for Tamworth.
“I’ve been a strong advocate of putting water security on the top of Council’s priority list, and it’s great to see these business cases nearly crossing the finish line because this will enable government to decide whether these projects will get off the ground.”
An extensive and robust business case is vital in helping governments determine whether to fund or progress infrastructure projects.
Tamworth Regional Council completed a lot of the groundwork on planning and development for the advanced water treatment plant, which has helped fast-track the full business case.
Register for the webinar, complete the feedback survey, and visit the Tamworth Intervalley Pipelines and Off-River Storages Project for more information.
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