The Parkes Shire is well on its way to securing future proof and drought-resilient water supply infrastructure for decades to come as construction wraps up on the first stage of a major water infrastructure overhaul.
The NSW Government has injected $4 million ($3.4m funded by Restart NSW and $600,000 from DPIE) into the initial phase of the project, with a further $270,000 from Parkes Shire Council, which has seen critical new systems built and installed.
These include:
- A new bore, pump station and connecting pipeline to existing bore infrastructure
- The construction of new pipeline at the Parkes Eugowra Road Pump Station, and the construction of the Eugowra Road Under Bore pipeline
- The refurbishment of four existing bores in Parkes including new electrical, flow meter and telemetry upgrades
It's part of a landmark $80 million water supply network modernisation project to future-proof water services and ensure an ongoing sustainable supply for the Shire's 15,000 residents and businesses, as well as future demand associated with the State Government's Special Activation Precinct.
The full project will increase the Shire's raw water supply and see new infrastructure built, including a pre-treatment plant, a 20ML storage lagoon, pipelines, pump stations, a bore and a solar energy system to power key water assets and reduce the network's carbon footprint.
It will also replace or upgrade existing ageing infrastructure, including leaking pipelines and bores that are more than 50 years old.
The work will ensure enough water to meet demand as the town continues to grow, and ensure it can be properly treated, pumped, stored and supplied to the Shire's residents and customers.
The full project will be partially funded by $11 million from the Australian Government, $26 million from the NSW Government, and Parkes Shire Council, and is expected to be completed by late 2026.
NSW Minister for Water Rose Jackson said:
"It's great to see construction complete on this first stage, which is a huge win for the entire community, and another step towards securing state-of-the-art water services for this generation and the next.
"This is one of the largest regional water infrastructure projects currently under construction, and certainly the most significant for Parkes this century.
"Modern water infrastructure is a keystone of sustainability and liveability for our regional cities. This project is a game-changer for Parkes, which has been crying out for an asset and network upgrade for many years.
"We're doing everything we can to prepare our regions for a drying climate, which means we must invest now to ensure we have a sustainable water future."
Parkes Shire Council Director of Infrastructure Andrew Francis said:
"The completion of this package of works is a huge step towards securing a reliable water supply for the Parkes Shire well into the future.
"We are thrilled to be expecting significant growth in our region as a result of the Special Activation Precinct, and infrastructure upgrades such as this are vital to not only ensuring we can continue to meet demand, but to thriving as a regional community."
