inspecting Cobar’s water mains last week. ▪ Photo contributed
As part of Round 7 of the NSW Government’s $50 million Resources for Regions program Cobar Shire Council will receive $3 million to improve our town’s water security.
The funding will be used to upgrade a further 5.5km approximately of the town water reticulation system.
Many of Cobar’s water mains are affected by encrustations which partially block the pipes, reducing their capacity and degrading water quality.
Clearing and replacement of these mains will improve firefighting capacity also, service pressures during peak demand and substantially reduce the risk of water contamination for drinking, washing and bathing.
The $3 million for the water infrastructure upgrade was announced on Monday by NSW Nationals Upper House MP, Sam Farraway and was just one of a suite of round 7 projects that will deliver local improvements and help the community thrive.
Mr Farraway was in Cobar last week to inspect how just over $4 million dollars will be spent on Cobar Shire’s three projects, with funding also received for upgrades to the industrial estate and to create a plan to upgrade the Cobar Memorial Swimming Pool.
Mr Farraway said projects like improving the local water supply will benefit the community for years to come.
“Water is essential in every aspect of our lives and by undertaking these works Cobar Shire Council are ensuring that locals have safe and reliable access to water for drinking, bathing and clothes washing,” Mr Farraway said.
He said the three projects across the local region were just some of the examples being funded by Resources for Regions in this round, taking the total number of projects supported by the program across regional NSW to 149 since 2012.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro said the revised Resources for Regions program will generate job opportunities, stimulate economic growth, deliver lifestyle improvements and boost wellbeing in mining towns.
“Mining communities and organisations told us how Resources for Regions could be improved and I took action. Now the revised program is funding a broader range of projects and delivering guaranteed and fairer shares of funding,” Mr Barilaro said.
