Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall, left, with Moree Plains Shire Council General Manager Lester Rogers and Waste and Water Manager David Wolfenden outside the village of Biniguy yesterday.
Thursday, 6 October 2016
MOREE Plains Shire Council will receive $11.21 million under the NSW Government’s Regional Water and Waste Water Program to upgrade Moree’s water supply system and provide potable reticulated water to the villages for Ashley and Biniguy, for the very first time.
Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall announced the unprecedented amount of funding today, saying it would help clear a backlog of council projects affected by ongoing water quality problems.
The three projects funded by the state government are:
Ashley – $4.13 million (100% of total project cost)
Construct a drinking water supply for indoor use for the town of Ashley. This will provide drinking water for the local community as well as adequate flows for fire-fighting. Potable water is currently sourced from rainwater and private bores.
Biniguy – $3.96 million (100%)
This includes the construction of an 11.5 kilometre water pipeline from Pallamallawa to Biniguy and high-standing reservoir. Also an upgrade of the existing water supply treatment facility in Pallamallawa to improve water there and a new transfer pump and bolster chlorination facility. Potable water is currently sourced from rainwater and private bores.
Moree – $3.12 million (50%)
The Moree water supply project will include the drilling of bores at south Moree and addressing the low water pressure situation in some areas of the town. This will also alleviate problems for the local fire brigade with water pressure and availability.
“I’m delighted Moree Plains Shire Council will receive this funding to ensure these vital upgrades can now proceed,” Mr Marshall said.
“This comes on the back of $5 million announced last year for council to construct a pipeline between Boggabilla and Toomelah to secure a sustainable and high quality water supply for both communities.
“This region has not seen an investment from government in local water supplies on this scale for decades – this is tremendous news.
“I congratulate Moree Plains Shire Council on its commitment to improving the quality and security of water available to its residents.”
Today’s announcement comes after Mr Marshall earlier this year invited Deputy Premier Troy Grant and Water Minister Niall Blair to Moree to brief them on the concerns the communities had regarding their drinking water supply.
“The Biniguy Water Supply project is one I have been pushing hard for and I was pleased I was able to get the Deputy Premier and the Minister to Moree so they could gauge the situation for themselves,” Mr Marshall said.
“It’s an excellent outcome for the district and I’m more than pleased these communities will soon have a safe and reliable water supply, for the very first time.”
Moree Plains Shire Council’s General Manager Lester Rodgers said the funding would support vital infrastructure.
“We are absolutely overwhelmed by the support our community has received through the award of this substantial grant funding,” Mr Rodgers said.
“Security of water is not a simple or quick fix – this funding is integral for implementing our plans for the Shire’s future water infrastructure needs.”
Council’s Water and Waste Manager David Wolfenden said the Ashley and Biniguy projects would deliver some great outcomes for the villages.
“It will be a wonderful outcome for residents of both Ashley and Biniguy if a drinkable water supply can be secured through these projects,” Mr Wolfenden said.
“These things don’t happen overnight and obtaining this grant funding is the result of a significant amount of work behind the scenes from both levels of government.
“We are hopeful that these projects will come to fruition in the next 18 months to two years, with our initial works being confirmation of water source availability at these localities.
“This will then enable us to spend some time with the Ashley and Biniguy communities to talk them through what this means for them.”
The NSW Government’s Regional Water and Waste Water Backlog Program is part of Restart NSW, which provides funding for critical infrastructure across the state to improve both productivity and competitiveness.