The Water Minister has been caught in an embarrassing misstep after announcing a new funding program for Boorowa, just weeks after making the very same announcement for the town, Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said.
Ms Cooke said on 5 February 2024, the Minister announced $150,000 for Hilltops Council under the Government’s ‘Advanced Operational Support Program’, to go towards upgrades to the Boorowa water treatment plant. Just six weeks later – on March 20 – the Minister announced the very same funding again.
“Either the Minister is not across the detail of her portfolio and has accidently doubled-up on her announcement, or she was trying to hood-wink the community about the level of investment the NSW Labor Government is making in Boorowa to address its ongoing water issues,” Ms Cooke said.
“Either way, it is simply not acceptable that a Minister who has been charged with the responsibility of such an important portfolio area, reheats previous funding announcements, and treats the community with this level of disrespect,” she said.
Ms Cooke said the Minister has been in the role for 12 months now, so it is fair for the community to expect more from the NSW Labor Government regarding this issue.
“The water portfolio is not an easy task – I understand that – and I appreciate that there are water issues piling up around the state; whether it be aging infrastructure, boil water alerts, or the need for long-term visionary projects, but I implore the Minister to get out of the city, and come to Boorowa to see for herself, the situation residents are facing with their drinking water,” Ms Cooke said.
“And while she’s in the electorate, perhaps she could drive over to Wyangala Dam and re-think the Government’s short-sighted decision to scrap the project to raise the dam wall, which had the dual purpose of flood mitigation, and drought preparedness.
“Or she could head west to Narrandera, and hear from locals about how they can’t rely on the water coming out of their household taps to be drinkable, or even suitable for basic needs like clothes washing,” she said.
