THE GLEN Innes Severn Council claims Glen Innes is now “almost drought proof” after the $1.02 million off-stream water storage upgrade was officially opened yesterday.
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Council’s revised Drought Management Plan asserts that Glen Innes now has a water supply that can withstand the most extreme times of drought.
General Manager Hein Basson said the addition of the Off-Stream Storage facility has created a vastly increased security of supply.
“I think it would be safe to say that Glen Innes is now almost drought proof,” he said.
“Our revised plan provides for continuation of supply for two and a half years of no rainfall in Glen Innes.”
Minister for Primary Industries Lands and Water Niall Blair said the off-stream water storage upgrade was a good example of the State government and a local council working together to achieve a positive outcome for constituents.
“The NSW Government’s Water Security for Regions program provided $970,000 for the project,” he said.
“Major infrastructure projects like this one bring security to our regional areas and create economic benefits by using local skills during construction.”
Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall said the Restart NSW Water Security for Regions funding also allowed for the full development of water bores on Red Range Road, in addition to the off-stream storage work done at the Glen Innes Aggregates quarry.
“These bores are capable of supplying 600 kilolitres of water every day, which equates to almost half of the water required when Glen Innes is on Level 4 water restrictions,” he said.
“I congratulate council on this innovative and visionary approach to solving its water security issues and am very pleased to say that the debate about water storage and water shortages in dry times is now officially over.
“There aren’t too many communities across the state that can say their town is drought-proof, but Glen Innes can and now has certainty of supply and huge capacity to grow, to use the quarry in this way, boosting water storage by 565 megalitres, is a great example to other communities throughout NSW.”
Mayor Colin Price said these major water security works will give the community peace of mind and praised his council and the former Mayor for having the foresight to start this project.
“This development of the off-stream storage, pipeline and bore works will help improve the security of the region’s water supply – the previous Beardy Waters supply had the capacity to last just five months after flow ceased,” he said.
“The combination of the existing weir, the off-stream storage volume, and the water bore development means that Glen Innes can now survive 30 months of drought.
“Additional groundwater supplies have been identified at the off-stream storage, and an additional bore is also designed and ready if ever required in the future.”