AWA welcomes investment in water

NSW Treasurer Andrew Constance has handed down the 2014-15 Budget for NSW. The state government’s investment in the water industry has been welcomed by the Australian Water Association (AWA).

Some key water investments in the NSW Budget include:

• $700 million to maintain, renew and upgrade critical infrastructure across Sydney’s water network;
• $39 million to upgrade and install town water and sewerage service;
• $12 million to improve water and sewerage services for 61 Aboriginal communities in NSW;
• $17 million to scope infrastructure projects in the Murray-Darling Basin that will further the state’s ability to meet the water-saving requirements under the Basin Plan;
• $1 million towards scoping and feasibility studies for the construction of a new dam on the Belubula River;
• $500,000 to undertake feasibility studies and prepare business cases for priority water-security infrastructure projects which enhance town water security across regional NSW.

The AWA agrees with the government that improving regional infrastructure now will not only assist in drought-proofing regional NSW, but also has the potential to improve the productivity of our agricultural land.

But AWA Chief Executive Jonathan McKeown added it is imperative that the NSW Government doesn’t just look to dams to satisfy water-security needs.

“Dams are not the only solution to securing water supplies in our regions,” he said. “The government needs to ensure that it makes informed decisions on the best water-security opportunity for each location.

“A portfolio of options, including water efficiency programs, alternative water sourcing and education, are all other mechanisms that should be considered, aside from just building expensive new dams that have the potential for negative environmental consequences.

“Further, it needs to be ensured that investment is not just spent in large water infrastructure projects, but also looks to address the deficiencies in drinking-water quality, wastewater treatment and capacity to meet the growing populations of our regional areas.”

AWA hopes to work with the NSW Government as they decide where best the investment is spent in an effort to ensure NSW’s ongoing economic prosperity.