Urgent water infrastructure funding for NSW

The NSW Government will provide $87.76 million in funding for drought-affected communities across 30 urgent water infrastructure projects.

The $87.76 million in funding will help regional towns to combat the current drought conditions they’re facing.

The funding will provide:

• $15 million for water carting into small regional communities
• $38.66 million for critical town water infrastructure projects in the state’s north and west
• $4.6 million for business and household water savings programs for towns most at risk
• $29.5 million for capital water infrastructure projects, including the planning and feasibility assessments for a new pipeline to connect Nyngan and Cobar to additional water supplies

The funding will also repair and maintain current infrastructure, including pipelines and off-stream storages.

Minister for Water, Melinda Pavey, said the funding will provide much needed relief for towns who are staring down the face of day zero. 

“Flows have already ceased below Warren Weir on the Macquarie, and water releases to the Lower Namoi and Lower Darling stopped in December last year. Communities are doing it tough and need our support,” Ms Pavey said.

Find out more about the available drought assistance packages on DroughtHub.

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• Bushfire damage repairs complete on NSW road network
• $1 billion to assist bushfire-ravaged communities rebuild critical infrastructure
• $15.2 billion for infrastructure announced in Federal Budget
• PM commits $1.5 billion to infrastructure including fast-tracking 15 major projects