Following close to 12 months of intense lobbying on behalf of the Boorowa community, Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke has helped secure over half a million dollars in State Government funding to go towards finding a solution to the town’s ongoing water supply issues.
Ms Cooke said the news of the funding came hot on the heels of her Cootamundra Summit last week, during which the Water Minister heard directly again from both herself and Hilltops Council, about the gravity of the situation.
“The Minister once again heard first-hand from myself, as well as from Hilltops Deputy Mayor Alison Foreman, and General Manager Anthony O’Reilly, about just how serious the situation in Boorowa has become, and how residents can’t rely on what is one of the most basic of needs, and that is turning on the water tap,” Ms Cooke said.
“I’m certainly pleased that having raised the issue again last week directly with the Minister, that the NSW Labor Government has finally acknowledged the concerns of local residents and of Hilltops Council, and has taken steps to rectify the problems around water quality in Boorowa once and for all.
“The current situation in Boorowa is of course simply unacceptable, and so today’s news that the NSW Labor Government has signed-off on an investment of just over half a million dollars, means that – together with a similar investment from Hilltops Council – close to one million dollars will now go towards a feasibility study to explore the option of constructing a water pipeline from Harden to Boorowa.
“This is a significant first step towards finding a lasting solution to what has become an untenable problem for Boorowa residents, who are still dealing with a boil water alert for what will be the third week in a row.
“Boorowa is expanding, but without the proper infrastructure in place, this growth will always be held back.
“Having safe and secure water supplies at our schools, hospitals, homes, and small businesses is a basic requirement, and it’s encouraging that Boorowa can now take the next significant step towards securing a reliable water supply; something many of us – particularly those in the metropolitan areas – take for granted,” she said.
Photograph caption: Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke with Hilltops Council Deputy Mayor Alison Foreman at the ‘Cootamundra Summit’ held in Harden last week.
