The NSW Nationals in the state and federal governments are investing almost $77 million in the Eurobodalla Southern Storage project to improve water availability and security on the NSW southern coast.
NSW Nationals Senator Perin Davey welcomed the funding, saying water security was very important.
“Projects like this make sense as we adjust to more rainfall variability due to climate change in the future,” she said.
“This project won’t create new water but will allow us to better manage water by storing water in times of plenty so it is available in times of need.”
Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said the 2021-22 Federal Budget saw greater investment from the $3.5 billion National Water Grid Fund flow towards the construction of new and augmented water infrastructure.
“I want to see first-hand and to hear from the Eurobodalla Shire Council on the benefits this project will provide to the region,” he said.
“We want to increase water security across Australia and funding projects such as the Eurobodalla Southern Storage is getting on with the job and getting it done.”
NSW Nationals Minister for Water Melinda Pavey said the project will see the construction of a new 3,000 megalitre off-stream water storage facility and a new 26 megalitre per day river pumping station, which will pump water from the Tuross River, in times of high flow, to the storage facility.
“This will deliver an additional yield of around 581 mega litres of water availability each year for downstream irrigators and stock watering, improving water security for the Eurobodalla region,” Ms Pavey said.
The Southern Storage project is jointly funded, with the NSW Nationals in the federal government committing $51.2 million, the NSW Nationals in the state government $25.6 million, and Eurobodalla Shire Council committing $25.6 million.
