LIVERPOOL Plains Shire Council is confident a new premier at the reins of the “critical” upgrade to the Werris Creek water treatment plant will finally get it off the ground.
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The project has secured $10 million from the federal government, and council will contribute $7 million, but mayor Andrew Hope said the NSW government needs to chip-in a further $10 million to get it off the ground.
With temperatures soaring around the region, Werris Creek’s water treatment is under added pressure, forcing council to implement level one water restrictions while Quipolly Dam is nearly at capacity.
Cr Hope said the measure was in place to “avoid a major breakdown” and said it was “unfair” on the town’s residents.
“We’re not looking to fund something special, like a skate-park or a pool,” he said.
“It’s the town’s water supply; it’s critical.
“In this day and age, the town’s water supply is a basic human right.”
The state’s new premier, Gladys Berejiklian, made a flying trip to Tamworth on the weekend to announce the government’s $4.25 million contribution to the $17 million Northern Inland Sporting Centre of Excellence.
“We acknowledge now that parts of the state want their fair share,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“I intend not to slow down on infrastructure, in fact we will go harder, and we are looking forward to seeing projects come to fruition.”
The Liverpool Plains mayor didn’t “begrudge any other shires” for securing infrastructure funding and said “every shire has different needs”, but stressed the significance of water security for Werris Creek.
Cr Hope said he was seeking a meeting with state water minister Niall Blair.
The mayor said he asked the shire’s MPs – Kevin Anderson and Michael Johnsen – prior to Christmas to arrange a meeting with the minister, but he’s yet to hear back.
President of the Werris Creek progress association Peter Cunningham said the treatment plant upgrade was an urgent need.
“It’s been overdue for many years,” Mr Cunningham said.
The Werris Creek local said it was a ridiculous situation the town was currently in.
“We’ve got this new dam, with the Quipolly upgrade, it’s almost at capacity, which is all good,” he said.
“But we’re on level one restrictions, it’s ridiculous just to say that.”