Pressure is mounting on the Minns Labor Government to address the state’s estimated $5 billion water infrastructure backlog, with regional communities warning that years of underinvestment is putting increasing strain on essential water assets.
Last month, Shadow Minister for Water Steph Cooke announced a $5 billion infrastructure package, supported by mining royalties, to tackle the growing backlog and deliver long-term water security for regional communities.
Ms Cooke is now urging Labor to match the commitment or work with the opposition to deliver a bipartisan solution after local government leaders and water utility representatives strongly supported her plan.
“Clean drinking water should not be a discussion that we are having in rural and regional NSW in 2026,” Ms Cooke said.
“The situation for the local water utilities sector and our communities across NSW is dire because there has been no new money allocated to this sector for four straight years.
“I would love to see the government match or support our plan. We’ve made it very clear where we are heading, and I would love to see bipartisan support for the work that we’ve undertaken in the last three and a half years.”
Local Government NSW and the water directorate estimate a $5 billion backlog in regional water projects that must be resolved.
Representing communities in the state’s north, Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Member for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan said ageing infrastructure was already affecting communities across his electorate.
“Glen Innes has constant problems with the quality of its water, particularly during our summer months. Uralla has the same problem. Guyra has the same problem,” Mr Moylan said.
“Further west, we have Moree with PFAS. We’re currently running off emergency bores there. Gravesend has significant problems with its water supply as well. And then Armidale has water storage and water capacity issues as well.”
“If the government does not start investing in our water infrastructure, we’re going to have significant problems, and those problems are already coming on us now.”
The NSW Water Directorate has consistently stated that pathogen risks in drinking water are closely linked to the condition, operation, and resilience of water infrastructure, particularly in regional NSW systems.
Shadow Minister for Health, Regional Health and Mental Health Sarah Mitchell said access to clean drinking water should never be in question.
“I’ve also heard reports from some communities about concerns around rashes and skin irritation,” Mrs Mitchell said.
“It should be a basic human right that our communities have access to clean drinking water, and I can completely empathise with residents in some of our communities.”
“We need to be putting this serious investment into our water infrastructure.”
