Tamworth Advanced Water Treatment Plant

About the project

The proposed Tamworth Advanced Water Treatment Plant project aims to improve water security in the region, provide sustainable environmental outcomes and support a growing regional economy.

The infrastructure required to support the proposed project would include:

• a water treatment plant
• brine concentration process and brine/salt lagoons
• purified water reservoirs
• pipeline and pump stations
• power supply upgrade.

If the proposed project proceeds, it will recycle up to 12 megalitres a day of wastewater from existing food industry facilities, with the potential to also receive used process water from other future developments.

The non-potable recycled water will be used by food industry facilities to substitute their existing demand. This will reduce their current demand for town water by up to 25%.

The department’s Water Group is currently developing a full business case for the proposed project.

Project status

The project is in the planning stage. Tamworth Regional Council completed a preliminary business case in August 2022 and recommended the Tamworth Advanced Water Treatment Plant for further analysis.

A full business case is required to further refine the project scope, benefits and cost, regulatory pathway and its benefits.

The Water Group will lead this analysis and integrate stakeholder consultation to ensure preferred options are identified and progressed.

The outcomes of these studies and consultations will be included in the full business case, which will guide future funding decisions by the NSW and Australian Governments.

The full business case is expected to be submitted for an investment decision in mid-2025.

Project funding

The NSW and Australian Governments are jointly funding $6 million to develop a full business case for the project, with the Australian Government contributing through the National Water Grid Fund.

Stakeholder engagement

The Water Group is committed to building and maintaining respectful, trusted and collaborative relationships with our communities and stakeholders to ensure water infrastructure projects achieve the best possible outcomes.

We will offer opportunities for communities and stakeholders, including First Nations people, to engage with us and provide feedback as we develop the full business case for the project.

Community members were invited to attend a webinar or visit our stall at the Tamworth Shoppingworld during February 2025 to learn more about the project, ask any questions or provide feedback to the project team. A recording of the community webinar and the irrigators webinar are provided below.

Timeline