Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall and Moree Plains Shire Council mayor Katrina Humphries turned the first sod of soil on Tuesday, October 30 to formally commence construction on the Pallamallawa to Biniguy water pipeline project.

The $3.96 million project, which is 100 per cent funded by the NSW government under the NSW Water Security for Regions program and is being managed by council, involves the construction of an 11.35 kilometre water pipeline from the Pallamallawa Water Supply to two 60 kilolitre reservoirs at Biniguy. It will also include the installation of a reticulation system throughout Biniguy to provide residents access to a safe and reliable treated water supply.

“At present Biniguy doesn’t have any potable water supply,” MPSC acting director of engineering Graham Macpherson said. 

“Water is individually sourced from private bores and rain water tanks with a degree of chemical attributes that causes damage to the water systems in those houses – air conditioners, white goods and the pipe work. Many residents rely on bottled water for drinking and cooking.

“This project will ensure that Biniguy will have a continuous water supply for the future security of those who want to live in this location.”

In addition to the Biniguy supply, the potable water will also be available to at least 12 residents at Trawalla’s pecan nut farm, approximately 4km away.

Lifelong Biniguy resident Doug Hancock said the construction of the water pipeline is long-awaited and will significantly improve the day-to-day life of community members.

“It will help in a hell of a lot of ways, with air conditioners and hot water systems,” he said.

“We’d have to constantly replace the element in our hot water systems because of the sodium build-up. When you get power failures you’ve got no water and through summer that’s nearly once a week. This is a guaranteed supply.”

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Mr Marshall said many of the septic tanks in the village were ageing which presented a potential risk for ongoing bore water usage.

“As the tanks age there is an increased risk of cracks and groundwater contamination, which could in turn contaminate the bore water,” he said.

“That presents a significant health risk to the community and could require the use of alternative water sources such as costly water carting or bottled water.

“The Biniguy Water Supply Project will negate that risk by providing residents with a safe and reliable source of water for drinking and household use.

“It will have untold positive benefits for generations of Binguy residents into the future because without good quality drinking water and a secure supply, we have nothing.”

Cr Humphries said the project will transform life in the village for residents and would also ensure local fire fighters could access water in a fire emergency.

“Currently the Biniguy Rural Fire Service needs to return to their shed every five to 10 minutes to refill their trucks during a fire, but this project will see fire hydrants installed throughout the village as well as supplying treated water to the fire station,” she said.

“In 2018 everyone should have access to good water.

“It’s a wonderful thing … it keeps people in their homes in the bush when they’ve got water. Water’s just such an important part of life and we very often take it for granted. 

“If you’ve got water, you’ve got everything.

“We’re immensely proud of this and very excited that we keep watering our community and our shire.”

The Biniguy Water Supply Project is part of $16 million worth of investment in water projects across Moree Plains Shire, including the Toomelah to Boggabilla water pipeline and pump stations and Ashley Water Supply Project.

“That is enormous,” Mr Marshall said.

“There is not a local government area anywhere in country NSW that is undertaking this ground-breaking work to not-only drought-proof their rural communities, but also to bring fresh, potable, high-quality water to parts of their shire that have never had water before.

“I’d like to thank Moree Plains Shire Council. The leadership shown by council to not only undertake this project but three other major water infrastructure projects across the shire. While this project and others are funded by the state government, it can’t happen without a council that’s willing to be ambitious and put forward these projects, to do the hard work, to plan them, to cost them and also put forward very good proposals.”

The Biniguy Water Project is scheduled for completion in six months.