About the project
The proposed Macquarie-Wambuul Water Security Project aims to improve water security and reliability and support a healthy river environment.
To achieve these aims, the department’s Water Group is investigating options aligned with the Macquarie-Castlereagh Regional Water Strategy.
These include:
- a regional pipeline connecting Dubbo to Nyngan and other towns
- using some of Burrendong Dam’s flood mitigation storage to increase water supply
- a new weir to potentially replace Gin Gin Weir located between Warren and Narromine
- a limited number of other options identified in the regional water strategy.
Project location
The Macquarie-Wambuul River system is part of the Macquarie-Castlereagh catchment in central west NSW, within the traditional lands of the Gomeroi/Kamilaroi, Ngemba, Ngiyampaa, Wailwan and Wiradjuri people.
The river flows from the Great Dividing Range near Bathurst, north-west past Wellington, Dubbo, Narromine and Warren to meet the Barwon River upstream of Brewarrina. It includes the Macquarie Marshes, an internationally significant wetlands area.
Project need
The Macquarie-Castlereagh region is experiencing more frequent and severe drought, increasing pressures on water security. There is a need to:
- improve town water security in the region
- deliver water more efficiently to high priority needs
- maintain environmental flows in the system, including to the Macquarie Marshes
- improve the drought resilience of industry, including meat processing and agriculture.
Project benefits would include:
- improved water security for regional towns
- better delivery of high priority water to stock and domestic users in the catchment’s west
- maintained environmental health for the Macquarie Marshes
- improved drought security for water dependent industries driving the economy.
Project funding
The NSW and Australian Governments are jointly funding $9.35 million to deliver a final business case for the project, with the Australian Government contributing through the National Water Grid Fund.
The funding will allow the NSW Government to deliver a focussed options analysis. Detailed technical studies will include economic, engineering, cultural heritage and environmental assessments. The Water Group will oversee this analysis and integrate stakeholder consultation to ensure the best infrastructure solutions are identified and progressed.
The outcomes of these studies and consultations will be included in the final business case, which will guide future funding decisions for the project by the NSW and Australian Governments. We are aiming to complete the final business case by early 2026.
Stakeholder engagement
We are committed to building and maintaining respectful, trusted and collaborative relationships with our communities and stakeholders to ensure water infrastructure projects achieve the best possible outcomes.
We will be offering opportunities for communities and stakeholders, including First Nations communities, to engage with us and provide feedback as we develop the final business case for the project.
Upcoming engagement opportunities will be highlighted on this project webpage and on the Water Group’s have your say page.
Contact us
For more information call us on 1300 081 047 or email us at water.enquiries@dpie.nsw.gov.au