Humphries declares an end to dirty water

State Member for Barwon Kevin Humphries was in Cobar on Tuesday to announce $6.9million in funding to upgrade Cobar’s water supply network. The announcement was welcomed by Nationals candidate for Barwon Andrew Schier, Cobar Shire councillors Peter Abbott, Janine Lea-Barrett, Bob Sinclair and council general manager Peter Vlatko, pictured above.

Cobar Shire Council has finally secured $6.9million in funding from the NSW Government’s Safe and Secure Water Program to upgrade the town water supply.

State Member for Barwon Kevin Humphries announced the funding on Tuesday saying everyone in NSW deserves access to reliable and high-quality water.

“At the completion of this new project to replace ageing water pipes, Cobar is going to have reliable, clean, and clear water.

“This is the end of brown water coming out of household taps,” he said.

“This funding from the Government’s Safe & Secure Water Program shows we are getting on with the job of delivering critical local water and wastewater infrastructure around Barwon,” Mr Humphries said.

Mr Humphries said since 2014 the NSW Government had invested over $37million for water projects in the Cobar region including funding for a 700ML off river storage at Nyngan, upgrades to the Nyngan to Cobar Water supply pipeline, and investing in a new Water Treatment Plant.

“The NSW Government has contributed more than $15 million in co-funding to Cobar Shire Council for a new water treatment plant which is currently under construction to ensure delivery of clean water.

Minister for Regional Water Niall Blair said NSW communities depend on access to clean, reliable and affordable water, and wastewater infrastructure that meets environmental and health standards.

“With over 1.9 million people living in more than 500 regional NSW communities, it is vital we continue to invest in priority local infrastructure, and this is what our Safe & Secure Water Program is all about.

“The Program prioritises key water infrastructure projects – from local drought backup systems through to new or upgraded dams to secure water supplies for our regional communities,” Mr Blair said.

“Whether it’s a new water treatment plant or replacing outdated wastewater treatment plants our Safe & Secure Water Program will make a real difference to local communities throughout NSW.”

The Safe and Secure Water Program co-funds eligible water and sewerage projects that deliver economic growth in regional NSW through improvements to public health, water security, and environmental outcomes.