The NSW Government has announced it will inject an extra $2 million to help 18 regional councils manage critical water infrastructure.
The Government’s Advanced Operational Support (AOS) initiative is supporting local water utilities with hands-on technical training to optimise existing water treatment plants and extend the lifespan of these essential assets.
It has invested more than $10 million into the AOS program, including $4.1 million in direct grants to local water utilities, to build better regional communities with a dependable supply of quality drinking water.
Under this phase of the program, participating councils will benefit from engineering and technical support to give them the tools and skills they need to improve water operations, potentially saving tens of thousands of dollars each year.
“We know regional towns need a leg up to get the most out of their water treatment plants and lock-in a clean, dependable water supply,” said Minister for Water, Rose Jackson.
“Infrastructure is one piece of the puzzle but on-the-ground operational support is also extremely valuable.
“This program empowers operators with the skills and knowledge they need to problem-solve and consistently deliver quality water to their communities.”
Grants of up to $150,000 will also support a range of projects at water treatment plants, including:
- installing new monitoring equipment for 24-hour water quality oversight
- upgrading filtration and treatment systems to improve water purity
- implementing high-tech automated systems to enable councils to respond faster to potential water quality issues
AOS is part of the successful $52.8 million Town Water Risk Reduction Program, which has provided support to local water utilities across regional NSW addressing issues including water quality, dam safety and training for utility operators.
The councils and water treatment plants to receive AOS support are:
- Snowy Valleys Council – Talbingo and Batlow
- Brewarrina Shire Council – Brewarrina
- Lachlan Shire Council – Lake Cargelligo and Condobolin
- Snowy Monaro Regional Council – Cooma
- Warrumbungle Shire Council – Coonabarabran
- Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council – Gundagai
- Moree Plains Shire Council – Mungindi
- Liverpool Plains Shire Council – Quipolly
- Tenterfield Shire Council – Tenterfield
- Central Darling Shire Council – White Cliffs
- Uralla Shire Council – Bundarra
- Richmond Valley Council – Casino
- Bellingen Shire Council – Dorrigo
- Balranald Shire Council – Euston
- Forbes Shire Council – Forbes
- Muswellbrook Shire Council – Muswellbrook
- Wentworth Shire Council – Pooncarie
- Dubbo Regional Council – Wellington.
More information about the program and participants is available here.
