FUNDING AVENUES FOR TOWN WATER PROJECTS DRY UP UNDER LABOR

NSW Councils have been left high and dry by the Minns Labor Government, with no funding opportunities available to support critical town water projects.

The former Liberal and Nationals Government’s $1.1 billion Safe and Secure Water Program remains fully allocated, with no new money invested in the program since Labor was elected in 2023.

With the state’s primary funding avenue for town water utilities to improve water security and water quality in regional towns unavailable, councils are being redirected to apply to the Commonwealth Government’s National Water Grid Fund (NWGF), with limited success.

Water NSW has now advised that expressions of interest to the NWGF have been postponed indefinitely, with no alternative pathway available to fund the design or construction of new town water infrastructure.  

Shadow Minister for Water Steph Cooke said the admission comes at a time when regional towns are combatting severe heat and water restrictions.

“The Safe and Secure Water Program was our state’s defence against aging water infrastructure, which is why you saw the former government back it up with a significant investment of more than one billion dollars,” Ms Cooke said.

“Year after year, we’ve been warning the Minns Labor Government that they must reinvest in the program so that it can continue building the infrastructure our communities need to access safe drinking water.

“Instead, they’ve been leaning on the Commonwealth to save them from this responsibility, with no contingency plan in place if their funding program were to be made unavailable, which is exactly what has happened here. 

“The reality now is that we have a growing backlog of projects across the state with no way of funding them, and a state government that’s failing to recognise the consequences this will have for the growth, viability and health outcomes of our regional towns and villages.”

“Where are our councils meant to turn now, especially those who are currently combatting contaminants or water insecurity?”