Tired of recruiting from interstate, local councils have joined forces to establish a $900 thousand dollar water training centre in Trangie. 

The centre would provide training for people looking to enter the water industry, which local shire councils are the main employer of in Western NSW. 

“The savings generated by being able to train our own people rather than poach them from other states - which is what’s currently happening - are enormous,” Chairman of the Alliance of Western Councils Craig Davies said.

After consultants produced a document that quoted the project at $912,000, the Alliance is approaching state and federal governments to access funding for the training centre. 

“There are hundreds of jobs within the water space that are going begging at the moment because we simply can’t get people to fill them.”

Chairperson of the Alliance of Western Councils and Narromine Shire Council Mayor Craig Davies is awaiting a response from government.

Mr Davies said that while Narromine has six water operators, Walgett - which is renowned for its complex water issues - only has one, despite being a similar sized town. 

“The problem is these people become better qualified and look for other jobs. We’re forever replacing people, and sometimes training them ourselves. That would be the case for all councils right across regional NSW,” Mr Davies said. 

Since raising the idea for the training centre when speaking at a water conference in Sydney, Mr Davies said that he has had enquiries from six training providers offering to get involved. 

Within the Alliance of Western Councils, local representatives agreed that if funding is acquired, Trangie will make for the ideal position. 

“It's very central in the state, it’s located on council land and has a caravan park with cabins next door,” Mr Davies said. 

“It’s easy to get to Trangie from just about everywhere…and what’s more, building in Trangie is probably a lot cheaper than building in Dubbo or somewhere else.”

The Alliance of Western Councils has put the funding case to NSW Minister for Water Rose Jackson, and is still waiting on feedback. 

“I think we’ve got a very strong case.”