Cobar Shire Council has welcomed forward progress in the water system upgrades which supply the town.

This follows an announcement last week that the contract has been allocated for the construction of two new pump stations to be built in Nyngan and Hermidale.

The high-tech stations will ensure water pumped from Nyngan to Cobar enjoys greater reliability.

Cobar Shire Council General Manager Peter Vlatko said he was happy the contracts had been awarded. “We’ve been working with the government on this for three and a half years. It’s exciting to know the project is moving ahead.

“Those pumping stations are crucial to our water supply.

“Cobar is undergoing a significant period of economic growth, driven by our mining sector. So to have greater reliability of water delivery is something we welcome,” Mr Vlatko said. 

The contract for the $45.5 million infrastructure project has been awarded to construction company Diona. Work will begin in early 2025 and will create 20 jobs in Western NSW. 

Both Federal and State funding has pitched in to support the project, which is a priority because the current pump stations are ageing and at risk of failing.

Construction on the pump stations is expected to be complete by mid-2026. 

Hermidale pumping station. Image supplied.

Federal Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek said in a country like Australia, there are things that most of us take for granted. “We expect when we turn the tap on at home, safe drinking water will come out. 

“But for more than 600,000 people in regional and remote Australia that isn’t the case. 

“We have to do better and it’s why the Albanese Labor Government is investing billions of dollars in projects like this across the country to ensure communities have access to safe and reliable water.” 

NSW Minister for Water, Rose Jackson welcomed the progress. “We are getting on with the job of improving water reliability for more than 4,000 residents in Cobar along with the businesses and industries that drive the local economy. 

“This is one of the biggest investments in new water infrastructure in this corner of regional NSW and will ensure water is being pumped faster and more effectively along the pipeline from Nyngan to Cobar. 

“Awarding the contract means that work is now on track to begin in early 2025, which is great news for the community who have been waiting a long time for this project to begin.” 

Mr Vlatko said he hoped progress would include the addition of much-needed pipeline that would move the project ahead even further and looked forward to continuing to collaborate with both governments to complete the required upgrades.