Next steps for Snowy Valleys water improvements
Residents and businesses in the Snowy Valleys are moving towards a safer and more secure water supply thanks to over $2 million being invested in partnership between the NSW Government and the local council to bring three key projects closer to tender ready phase.
The NSW Safe and Secure Water Program funding includes $480,000 with more than $530,000 from Snowy Valleys Council to deliver an options study and concept design looking at ways to secure Tumbarumba’s water supply.
There is also a further $300,000 from the NSW Government, together with more than $330,000 from Council to complete similar work at Batlow reviewing the options which includes exploring a 50 megalitre water storage increase to Kunama Dam on Little Gilmore Creek to shore up supply, particularly during droughts when the town is most at-risk.
On top of that, $360,000 from the NSW Government and more than $380,000 from Council will progress the upgrade of the existing water treatment facility at Khancoban to tender ready stage. The project will ensure water quality remains stable even when the system is under pressure during peak tourism seasons when the town’s population can increase from 300 to 2,000.
The work is expected to be complete in mid-2024.
The Safe and Secure Water Program is supporting over $1 billion worth of projects across the state, with more than 260 in various stages of delivery.
NSW DCCEEW Executive Director Infrastructure Development, Lisa Hingerty, said:
“The NSW Government is committed to helping to drought-proof regional parts of the state and the Snowy Valleys area is no different which is why we’re injecting more than $1 million from our Safe and Secure Water Program to bring these projects a step closer to fruition.
“Access to clean and reliable water is a basic human right and we know there is growing pressure on the existing water infrastructure in the Snowy Valleys as a popular place to live and visit.
“It’s vital that we get this development stage of the projects right including all the appropriate checks and balances to ensure taxpayers are getting the best bang for their buck and that Council is in a stronger position to proceed to the next phase.”
Mayor of Snowy Valley Council, Ian Chaffey, said:
“It’s great to see this partnership between state and local government gaining momentum because doing the grunt work now will help lock in water security for Tumbarumba, Batlow and Khancoban for tomorrow.
“We live in one of the most scenic parts of NSW and we want to ensure the water coming from our pristine rivers is treated to the highest possible standards and can continue to service our community for decades to come.”
