Member for New England Barnaby Joyce, left, Walcha Mayor Eric Noakes and Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall celebrating the start of construction on the $11 million Walcha off-stream storage dam today.
Friday, 7 October 2022
New $11 million Walcha storage dam gets underway
A WATER security revolution in Walcha is taking place on a quiet bend of the MacDonald River, on the outskirts of the township, as the first ceremonial sod of soil was turned today on the major works phase of the $11 million Walcha Off Stream Storage facility.
Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall along with the Member for New England Barnaby Joyce and Walcha Mayor Eric Noakes were on hand to celebrate the formal commencement of this jointly-funded project.
The project is a joint initiative between the Australian and NSW Governments, with the federal funding portion of $2 million delivered from the National Water Grid Fund Connections Pathway and the State committing $9 million from the Safe and Secure Water Program.
Mr Marshall said it was a ‘red letter’ day for Walcha, with the start of construction on the new 300 megalitre dam which would deliver complete water security for the community.
“The drought of 2019 drove home to many rural communities just how vulnerable our town water supplies are without regular rainfall and run off, Walcha was not immune and almost ran dry,” Mr Marshall said.
“This new storage will quadruple Walcha’s river storage capacity, not only building an almost two-year water supply buffer against drought, but it will enable to the community to grow and I commend the Walcha Council for moving quickly to have this major project now underway.
“This project is the great legacy of that worst drought on record and will ensure that the community can withstand whatever mother nature throws at it in the future.”
Member for New England and Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Barnaby Joyce said the project was expected to be finished by the middle of 2023.
“It was fantastic to announce the approval of the Walcha Off Stream Storage project last year thanks to the National Water Grid Fund, and to be here today to see dirt actually moved on the project is the icing on the cake,” Mr Joyce said.
“I am fighting every day to secure water security for the New England, stopping extensive water restrictions as we drought-proof the electorate.
“This project is so important for Walcha, giving current and future businesses ease of mind should we face another drought.”
Walcha Mayor Eric Noakes welcomed the commencement of the major phase of this project which includes roadworks, increasing the capacity of the river offtake pumping station, upgraded water inlets, fencing and pipework connecting the storage dam to the water treatment plant 16 km away.
“The Walcha Off Stream Storage project is one of the most important water infrastructure projects in the region’s history and will go a long way towards creating a stronger, more resilient community,” Cr Noakes said.
“The new storage dam has been the number one priority for Walcha Council because it will enable us to be better prepared to face the devastation of drought events by providing a safer and more secure source of drinking water.
“Having shovels in the ground is also a major win for Walcha’s economy because projects of this size create jobs and put more money in the till for local businesses.”