A TUG-OF-WAR over the new Chaffey Dam pipeline is under way between Tamworth Regional Council and WaterNSW.
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The council voted this week to press Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson and Water Minister Melinda Pavey harder for ownership of the 18.2km pipeline that was finished in less than half the time of similar projects.
The new section of the pipeline joins with the council-owned pipeline at Dungowan, so it could be the case that it has two separate owners if the state government does not hand it over.
The council needed to have both operation and ownership of the pipeline that delivers water only to Tamworth, Moonbi and Kootingal, councillor Juanita Wilson said.
"We have experience in managing pipelines and pump stations, we are onsite and we can respond in real time to issues with the pipeline," she said.
"I can't see why it would be efficient for us to pay for management that is less than our own capacity.
"Otherwise we are putting ourselves into a situation we're its likely we are up for a lot of funds and up for poor management."
The pipeline went into full operation on April 20, it marked the first time since 1981 that water was delivered from Chaffey Dam to the Calala Water Treatment Plant with no instream losses.
The council wrote to Water Minister Melinda Pavey on March 16 asking for ownership and operation of the pipeline and received no response.
There are concerns with the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment's plans to switch off the brand new, $42 million pipeline once Chaffey Dam reaches 25 per cent, so much so it gave Cr Glenn Inglis a "Pauline Hanson, please explain?" moment.
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Mayor Col Murray used a press conference on Wednesday as an opportunity to call for support from the community and Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson to lobby the state government.
Water Minister Melinda Pavey said WaterNSW will continue in the operations and maintenance role once the pipeline is fully operational.
"With regard to river flows, as the Chaffey storage is replenished and water security returns to the valley, releases will resume into the Peel for the benefit of farming families reliant on the river, as well as the ecology of the river itself," she said.
Madeline Link
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
