It’s dam good news for the community with the state budget delivering more than $12 million for the proposed Malpas Dam pipeline.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A thrilled Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall, who has been lobbying for the pipeline’s construction for almost two years, said the new 15 kilometre pipeline and associated water treatment infrastructure at Guyra would permanently drought-proof the community and ensure continued growth in the region.
“This pipeline will singlehandedly solve Guyra’s water security and quality issues for good and I couldn’t be happier for everyone in the community,” Mr Marshall said.
“With low rainfall threatening to leave Guyra dry in recent years, it was clear that action had to be taken to allow the community to continue to grow and its substantial horticultural industry to expand.”
The state government announced $12.375 million for the construction of the pipeline in Tuesday’s budget.
More reading:
The township uses an average 423 megalitres of water each year, with demand steadily increasing, which far exceeds the town’s current storage capacity of 277 megalitres.
The pipeline will expand that capacity to more than 740 megalitres, exceeding anticipated growth over the next 30 years.
“A pipeline and the construction of a new treatment plant to replace the old one will permanently resolve those issues,” Mr Marshall said.
“This will not only benefit every resident who uses town water, but also help provide infinite capacity for Guyra’s expanding horticultural industry. Guyra will completely drought-proof and have complete water security. It will have access to far better quality of water than it does at the moment.
“Council has done a great job already signing easement agreements with landholders … They are pretty much ready to go out to tender on this.
“This project is critical to unlocking Guyra’s growth potential and I thank the community and council for its incredibly strong support for this project.
“Together, we have ensured that Guyra’s water security is no longer a pipe dream.”