Regional communities across NSW will benefit from inceased water security thanks to $245 million from the NSW Nationals in Government to fast track critical water infrastructure projects in NSW.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the funding will go toward the commencement of Stage 1 of the delivery of the Wyangala Dam and the Dungowan Dam projects and investigations into a third dam on the Mole River.
“These dam projects are a legacy to the state of NSW and have the potential to create hundres of regional jobs, secure water for their communities, and provide economic and social benefits for hundrds of residents and businesses,” Ms Cooke said.
“The NSW Nationals fought to have these projects declared Critical State Significant Infrastructure and the funding will contribute to final business cases, pre-construction and preliminary works for the Wyangala Dam Wall and the raising of the new Dungowan Dam.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for NSW John Barilaro said the NSW Nationals are getting on with building dams and the NSW Government is on track to have shovels in the ground for the $1 billion state significant dam projects.
“The time is now to build dams in NSW, to be bold in our vision for regional communities and take control of our future,” Mr Barilaro said.
“We are disadvantaging future generations if we don’t learn our lesson in this drought and build more dams now.
“Today sets a new precedent for building dams in NSW and will act as the blueprint for growing the prosperity in our regions by investing in our state’s water security.”
Minister for Water, Property and Housing Melinda Pavey said these works are desperately needed to ensure more water can be stored to sustain local communities between periods of drought.
All three dams are part of the NSW Government’s $1 billion water infrastructure package announced last year, co-funded with the Commonwealth Government.
