The NSW Government is ramping up its support for regional and remote towns by injecting $15 million into supercharging a groundbreaking program that helps safeguards water and sewage services for thousands of people.
The investment is a huge win for country NSW funding the rollout of phase 3 of the government's highly successful Town Water Risk Reduction Program building on more than $32.8 million for the initiative since 2023.
Over the past 2 years, the program has helped dozens of regional councils and local water utilities (LWU) tackle the most severe risks to town water, addressing critical skills shortages and improving the regulatory framework to give them the tools to better manage services effectively.
This next chapter of the initiative will focus on unlocking more opportunities to support local communities and provide safer and more reliable water.
It will:
- deliver $2 million in funding to enable 20 Local Water Utilities to carry out critical infrastructure upgrades that will lock-in a more secure, top quality water supply
- address critical skills shortages and boost water operations by providing training and employment opportunities in regional NSW for school leavers, Aboriginal students and existing water operators
- develop critical reforms in response to the Productivity & Equality Commission's Review of Funding Models for Local Water Utilities enabling the sector to deliver more efficient town water services to regional NSW communities and more effective funding models
- enable local water utilities to accelerate responses to dam safety audits and address water quality risks, leveraging the expertise of WaterNSW.
Work on phase 3 is now underway and will be implemented across the state over the next three years.
For more information on NSW Government's support of local water utilities visit the Local water utilities web page.
NSW Minister for Water Rose Jackson said:
"The Town Water Risk Reduction Program is a game changer, enabling councils and local water utilities to better plan and manage water and sewerage services across NSW.
"We're seeing an increase in climate extremes that have the potential to impact water infrastructure, so our remote communities need all the help they can get.
"By rolling out phase three, we can ensure the most at-risk towns have improved equipment and the best operators on the job who can respond immediately to emergencies.
"The new funding is a massive win for country NSW and means we can charge ahead and give even more LWUs the tools they need to deliver cleaner and better quality drinking water."
Uralla Shire Council Mayor, Robert Bell said:
"The Town Water Risk Reduction Program is one of the most effective and valuable NSW Government initiatives that we have ever experienced. Uralla Shire Council and the community are deeply grateful for the program's support and this new funding is great news."
Hay Shire Council Mayor, Carol Oataway said:
"This collaboration is a strong example of what can be achieved when local leadership and the NSW Government work together hand-in-hand to tackle water quality issues and improve outcomes for regional communities."
