Design for a permanent Water Treatment Plant in Narrandera will commence, with the Commonwealth Government stepping up to support the delivery of clean drinking water to the community in place of their state counterparts.
$908,000 has been awarded from the National Water Grid Fund, which will pay for the plans needed to support the construction phase of this essential infrastructure project.
This is the second time Narrandera Council has been forced to apply for Commonwealth funding, after the NSW Minns Government refused to support their first application.
Today’s announcement for design work does not guarantee funding for the construction of the Water Treatment Plant.
Last week, Nationals Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke and Narrandera Shire Council launched a campaign calling on the NSW Minns Government to bridge the gap between the design and construction phrase with the funding required.
Ms Cooke has expressed her gratitude to the Commonwealth Government for supporting town water utilities but says their state counterparts must now come to the table.
“It is time that our communities see the same level of commitment from the NSW Minns Government,” Ms Cooke said.
“Again and again, we hear the excuse that there is a significant backlog in town water projects, and yet the Minister and her department sit on their hands as if ignoring these matters and failing to act will somehow resolve them.
“Narrandera residents cannot be left to wait months or years after they complete their designs for a funding guarantee for the construction phase. That money needs to be forthcoming.
“We are also waiting for the NSW Minns Government to respond to the community’s calls for short-term relief measures to support them this summer.
“At the end of the day, we are calling for the delivery of clean water to more than five thousand people. This is not an issue that should have to be debated.”
During a recent Budget Estimates hearing in the NSW Parliament, the Minister for Water, Rose Jackson, was asked whether she would be comfortable drinking Narrandera’s water.
“It doesn’t look very nice, I agree with that. I probably wouldn’t prefer to,” Ms Jackson said.
The recent announcement of $14.2 million to upgrade Narrandera’s stormwater system was a Commonwealth Government commitment, with the NSW Minns Government contributing $0 to the project.
