Thursday, 7 November 2024
Member for Cootamundra and Shadow Minister for Water, Steph Cooke, has welcomed the completion of the Wyangala Water Treatment Plant, which will supply clean drinking water to the village of Wyangala and visitors at the Reflections Holiday Park.
“This new water treatment plant is a huge win for the Wyangala community. With joint funding from state and federal governments, secured by the Coalition in 2022, I am pleased to see this critical water infrastructure delivered that will be owned and operated locally by Cowra Shire Council,” Ms Cooke said.
“I want to thank my Federal colleague, Member for Riverina, Michael McCormack for helping deliver on our promise to Wyangala residents that we would provide clean, safe drinking water with this purpose-built facility. This is a $5.5 million commitment fulfilled, delivering better outcomes for the village and injecting more than $820,000 into the local economy throughout the project,” she added.
Wyangala is known for being home to one of the largest dams in the state, but residents next to the crucial water supply have struggled to access safe and reliable drinking water. The new water treatment plant resolves the issue, with members of the Wyangala community and thousands of annual visitors can enjoy safe and clean water.
“Millions of Australians turn on the tap for clean, treated water without a second thought every day. Very soon, our Wyangala residents and visitors will be able to do the same, enjoying the same level of service as those in our city centres,” Ms Cooke said.
“Everyone deserves access to safe, potable water – regardless of where they live. It’s a great day to see the Wyangala community one step closer to enjoying this fundamental human right, with state-of-the-art infrastructure to ensure reliable water service for years to come.”
Ms Cooke described the significant infrastructure announcement as a “game changer” for the region, enhancing the appeal of Wyangala Waters as a key destination for recreation and tourism for visitors and locals alike.
But there is still a long way to go for many more communities to access clean water in their towns and villages. Ms Cooke also expressed her disappointment over the lack of progress in delivering other critical water infrastructure across the Cootamundra electorate. She cited the absence of vision and budget from the NSW and Commonwealth Labor Governments, specifically mentioning the Boorowa Pipeline Project, which is crucial for supplying the town with a reliable water source.
“I had hoped to see more action across our towns and villages, particularly after a summer plagued by boil-water notices across the region and as more residents move to historic townships like Boorowa,” she said.
“Boorowa is less than two hours from our nation’s capital and faces another uncertain time after spending more than five weeks under a boil-water notice last summer. There has been plenty of talk but no real progress,” Ms Cooke said.
“I will continue to advocate for critical water infrastructure projects for our communities. The NSW Labor Government should follow our lead – with transformative projects like the Wyangala Water Treatment Plant – and do more for towns burdened by aging, unreliable water treatment systems, where the water running from taps is dirty and undrinkable,” Ms Cooke said.
Image: New South Wales Leader of the Opposition, Mark Speakman, and Member for Cootamundra and Shadow Minister for Water, Steph Cooke, with staff from Reflections Wyangala Waters Holiday Park, which will soon benefit from fresh drinking water out of the new water treatment plant.