Funding locked in for Urbenville water project

The NSW Government is investing nearly $2 million to deliver the final stages of the Urbenville, Muli Muli, Woodenbong Water Supply Project to improve water quality for the three villages.

Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said the investment under the NSW Drought Fund will enable the project to cross the finish line by December this year and comes on top of $1.42 million from the Australian Government’s National Water Grid Fund and $100,000 from Tenterfield Shire and Kyogle councils.

“The NSW contribution will support an expansion of the existing Urbenville Water Treatment Plant to improve water quality and reliability, increasing its capacity from 600 to 700 people.

“Although the plant has been well maintained, it was completed in 2010 and its technology isn’t keeping up with modern standards for raw water treatment which is why it needs an overhaul.

“The work will also include the construction of two new clarifier lagoons that will pre-treat the raw water sourced from Tooloom Creek allowing the existing filters to keep producing high quality water even during periods of poor raw water quality.

“Meanwhile, the first stage of work is now complete including a new bore and storage tanks – which will provide a valuable lifeline for locals to lean on during extreme drought conditions. An upgrade to the existing jetty offtake structure and the de-commissioning of a silo has been finalised.

“New cages are pending installation to protect the pumps from excess debris which may end up in the river especially after periods of high rainfall.

“The project is expected to wrap up in December this year, weather permitting.”

Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) Executive Director – Infrastructure Development Lisa Hingerty said:

“NSW has stepped in with extra funding for the Urbenville, Muli Muli, Woodenbong project to provide greater support for Tenterfield Shire Council, so the project can be finished by the end of the year.

“While stage one of the project is done, the additional NSW funding now gives Council the extra help they need to get the job done by completing an upgrade to the water treatment plant that will ensure only the best quality water reaches people’s taps.

“These villages were hit hard during the last drought which is why this project has been a priority for us, and I’m pleased to see work continuing so we can ensure they have the infrastructure they need to weather the next dry spell.”

Mayor of Tenterfield Shire Council Bronwyn Petrie said:

“We’d like to thank the NSW Government for going the extra mile to fund the completion of the Urbenville, Muli Muli, Woodenbong Project.

“It has been a long time coming, but we’ve managed to work our way through COVID-19 delays, unprecedented wet weather, increases in construction costs and funding issues to secure the support we need to finish the project.

“Prioritising safe and secure water now and into the future is a no-brainer, so I am pleased we are getting closer to finalising the work which is great news for the community.”

Mayor of Kyogle Council Kylie Webster said:

“Water is the lifeblood of any community and the Urbenville, Muli Muli, Woodenbong Project is a great example of collaboration and cooperation between the State Government, Tenterfield Shire Council and Kyogle Council for the benefit of our communities.

“There are more than 250 properties in Muli Muli and Woodenbong that currently use the system and the project will benefit around 400 members of those communities.

“We are particularly grateful to the NSW Government for funding the completion of this important project.”