Toasting new funding for water security, Uralla Shire Council General Manager Kate Jessep, left, Mayor Mick Pearce and Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall.
Monday, 24 August 2020
Tapping into groundwater could be the answer to Uralla’s long-term water security, with Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall today announcing a $1.5 million State Government grant to support Uralla Shire Council’s exploration of bore sites and connection of that water to the town supply.
Mr Marshall said the next drought could be just around the corner and all levels of government needed to work together to reduce the risk of rural communities ever running dry.
“With Kentucky Creek Dam at 100 per cent, it’s hard to believe this time last year Uralla was well on the way towards a water crisis, with the supply depleting rapidly and contaminated with arsenic,” Mr Marshall said.
“As part of council’s request for funding to address the arsenic issue, it also asked for Government support to instigate an alternate water supply investigation.
“This funding will allow Council to undertake hydrological studies to locate potential bore sites and to secure the necessary infrastructure needed to connect the groundwater source to the local water supply and treatment plant.
“Whether its groundwater or increasing the storage capacity of Kentucky Creek Dam, nothing is off the table when it comes to securing Uralla’s water supply and depending on what this investigation yields, I will continue to work with the council to ensure all avenues are explored.
“This project as a huge step towards achieving long-term water security for Uralla, which, in turn, will deliver certainty for local businesses and residents.”
Uralla Shire Mayor Mick Pearce welcomed the grant and said it would help to improve the sustainability, efficiency and resilience of the town’s water supply for the future.
“We would like to thank Adam and the NSW Government and supporting Uralla Shire on this initiative,” Cr Pearce said.
“Over the last year our community has faced many challenges in regards to water supply, posed by unprecedented drought and issues with the drinkability of our water.
“During this period we worked closely with the NSW Government to successfully implement emergency infrastructure at the Uralla Water Treatment Plant to address the arsenic contamination issue.
“This grant groundwater project will benefit the community of Uralla, by diversifying our current water supply.
“Council is also developing an integrated Water Cycle Management Plan (IWCMP) which will assist these investigations in finding the best possible solution for the Uralla community.”
The funding forms part of the State government’s drought response, which is providing $54.2 million in funding for regional NSW water infrastructure projects.