The department’s Water Group is undertaking an evaluation of the Safe and Secure Water Program (Version 2, launched in October 2018), which provides funding for local water utilities to reduce water security, water quality and environmental risks in regional towns.
An evaluation of the program is required under the Evaluation Policy and Guidelines | NSW Treasury and the Grant Administration Guidelines.
The evaluation will assess the program’s effectiveness, how it can do more to support the delivery of local water projects and will review what changes could be made to streamline and improve the program’s processes and future delivery.
Organisations who have received a program grant, and those who have applied and been unsuccessful or who have declined a grant offer, were encouraged to provide their feedback to us.
As part of the evaluation, the Water Group interviewed selected groups and conducted an online survey during September and October 2024.
The online survey closed on Friday 11 October 2024.
For more information:
- email water.enquiries@dpie.nsw.gov.au
- call 1300 081 047
Providing safe, secure and sustainable water and wastewater services
The Safe and Secure Water Program addresses key risks to regional water safety and security in NSW to provide safe, secure and sustainable water and wastewater services to regional towns across the state.
The program was established in 2017 (version 1) and re-launched in late 2018 (version 2) to better target the available funding to address priority risks.
- prioritise projects to address the highest risks and issues for regional NSW water
- ensure a minimum level of service in smaller towns where the cost of critical infrastructure outweighs economic benefit
- provide more flexibility by including cost effective non-infrastructure options.
About the program
The program provides funding for water security, water quality and environmental infrastructure solutions.
Under the current program, there are three streams of funding:
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Stream 1
Supporting the development and delivery of projects addressing the highest risks and issues for regional NSW town water infrastructure. Stream 1 is scheduled to run until 2028 or until funding is exhausted.
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Stream 2
Supporting Local Water Utility (LWU) and regionally based strategic planning. Stream 2 expressions of interest closed on 31 May 2024. All Stream 2 funding must be spent by 31 December 2025.
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Stream 3
Supporting the repair or decommissioning of high-risk dams. Stream 3 is closed for applications.
Guidelines
View the Safe and Secure Water Program funding guidelines for further information regarding the program objectives, eligibility and requirements.
Download the guidelines (PDF. 670KB)Program funding information
Learn more about the program funding streams, subsidy levels and obligations of successful project proponents.
More informationProjects map
View a map of the locations and details of grants and funding projects administered by the Water Group.
To view projects funded by the Safe and Secure Water Program, click on the icon top left of the map and select the Safe and Secure Water Program tab.
To view the map at full screen, click on the enlarge map icon top right of the map.