Uralla Shire Council is inviting the community to help shape the future of the township’s water supply by reviewing and providing feedback on the Draft Water Security Options Study, which is now on public exhibition.
The study examines options to secure a reliable and resilient water supply for Uralla in the face of drought, climate change and future demand.
Prepared by NSW Public Works, with funding support through the NSW Government’s Safe and Secure Water Program, the study builds on several years of investigations into Uralla’s water security challenges and examines how the township can maintain a reliable water supply.
NSW Public Works has identified four integrated water supply options and assessed them against criteria including cost, environmental impacts, reliability and deliverability.
A potable water pipeline from Armidale – a technical recommendation from NSW Public Works, not a decision of Council – achieved the highest overall ranking against the study’s assessment criteria.
The four options assessed in the study are:
Option 1: Raw water pipeline from Armidale.
Option 2: Potable water pipeline from Armidale.
Option 3: Desilting Kentucky Creek Dam combined with raising the dam wall by 1 metre.
Option 4: Raising Kentucky Creek Dam wall by 2 metres.
Mayor, Robert Bell said water security remains one of Council’s most important long-term priorities and encouraged residents to take the opportunity to understand the study’s findings and have their say.
“Securing Uralla township’s water supply is essential for its residents, businesses and community organisations. This study is about planning ahead and making sure we have a reliable and resilient water supply for decades to come,” Mayor Bell said.
“Many people will remember how challenging the last drought was for our community. We know climate conditions are changing and we need to think carefully about how we secure Uralla’s water future.”
The Mayor said community feedback would play an important role in informing Council’s consideration of the assessed options and the investigations and planning required to progress a preferred approach.
“Water security is an issue our community feels passionately about, and understandably so. We know people will have strong views about the options presented, and we want to hear them,” he said.
“NSW Public Works has undertaken a significant body of technical work to identify and assess these four options. We are now asking the community to consider those findings and share its views on the potential benefits, disadvantages and local impacts.
“Local knowledge and community experience will help Council understand the matters it needs to consider before determining the next steps.
“I want to reassure our community that the pipeline’s ranking in the study does not represent a final Council decision on which option will proceed.”
The study builds on previous investigations into groundwater, demand reduction, improvements to Kentucky Creek Dam and regional water-sharing opportunities.
Council has also been working with Armidale Regional Council on regional water security planning, including supporting investigations and planning for the proposed Armidale–Uralla pipeline. Community feedback on the study will inform Council’s consideration of a preferred water supply approach and the further investigations and planning required.
Council is seeking feedback on the four options assessed by NSW Public Works, including their potential benefits, challenges and local impacts. Community feedback will help Council understand issues requiring further consideration before determining future actions.
Council will host two community information sessions during the exhibition period to help residents better understand the study and ask questions directly of project specialists.
The Draft Water Security Options Study is available on Council’s Your Say Uralla! consultation site, where community members can:
- Read the Draft Water Security Options Study
- Review supporting information
- Register for a community information session
- Lodge an online submission
The public exhibition will run until Monday 18 January 2027.
Following the exhibition period, Council will review submissions and consider community feedback alongside the study’s technical findings before determining the next steps.
Find more information on the Water Security Options Study on Council’s website: Water Security Options Study Uralla Shire Council.
