The Wyangala community in NSW’s Lachlan Valley will soon benefit from a new water treatment plant to service the area, delivering an additional 800,000 litres of potable water to residents and holiday-makers each day.
Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said the $4 million federal and state government contract had been awarded to Australian infrastructure service provider Enviropacific to deliver the upcoming works.
"Enviropacific has previously delivered water treatment facilities for Barangaroo, NorthConnex, Gold Coast and Melbourne Airports, the Victorian Police, State Emergency Service and Country Fire Service training facility in Bangholme, Victoria," McCormack told the Cowra Guardian.
McCormack said Enviropacific has also committed to sourcing one-third of its workforce from people in the local community, helping boost available jobs in the region.
"A number of local businesses, including fabrication, electrical installation, civil engineering, civil and earthworks and geotechnical surveying are expected to be engaged by the project in the coming months to help deliver this exciting project,” he said.
"This will interest many of the almost 300 local businesses on the Wyangala local business register.”
The works are planned as part of the first stages of the proposed Wyangala Dam Wall Raising project, which is still being assessed by federal and state governments, said NSW Minister for Water, Property and Housing Melinda Pavey.
"This new water treatment plant will significantly increase the volume of clean drinking water available to communities in the Wyangala region and is part of a broader program of work we are carrying out to deliver increased water security to the Lachlan Valley," Pavey said.
"Access to an abundant supply of clean drinking water is absolutely essential for the people in our towns and communities.
"Planning for the water treatment plant is progressing well and next steps include finalising the detailed design and planning approvals. Construction is expected to start later this year."
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the new plant will be happy news for the Wyangala community, with water security in the township and surrounds being one of the main community concerns.
"This has been the number one concern for the Wyangala community since I was elected and I am proud of the work we have done together to get a potable water supply for the community," Cooke said.
"I am so pleased we are finally able to address this issue. This work is also creating local jobs which is great news for this region and a clear sign the NSW Government is committed to strengthening our regional communities and economies."
The Wyangala Dam Wall Raising project is funded by the Australian and NSW governments, with the Australian government committing $325 million towards the project.