A pre-election announcement by Federal Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources Barnaby Joyce could see Cobar’s water security further improved in the future.
Member for Barwon Kevin Humphries said on Tuesday he welcomed Mr Joyce’s announcement of $850,000 to fast-track a feasibility study into a new pipeline in place of the Albert Priest Channel.
The funds would be provided under the National Water Infrastructure Development Fund.
Mr Humphries said the pipeline could provide major water savings.
“Water is currently delivered to Nyngan and Cobar via the unlined Albert Priest Channel, however it is thought that constructing a pipeline from the Macquarie River could reduce evaporation, transpiration and seepage by 4,000 megalitres per year,” he said.
“We need to understand the feasibility of constructing the pipeline and I’m very pleased to hear Barnaby’s commitment to fund it.”
Mr Humphries said the project would be a boost for regional water security.
“Partnerships like this with the Commonwealth Government are crucial to finding long-term solutions for rural communities,” he said.
