NSW Water Minister Niall Blair has a month to respond to the Labor Party’s demands for an explanation on the government’s “failure” to fund a major water project in Werris Creek.
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Tamworth Labor member of the legislative council Daniel Mookhey has submitted Questions on Notice to minister Niall Blair, pushing for answers and a funding timeline for the Werris Creek water treatment plant upgrade.
Under the parliamentary process for Questions on Notice, the Minister must provide a formal response to Labor within 35 days. Mr Mookhey said he was concerned Werris Creek “didn’t even rate a mention” in the 2017/2018 budget paper, but was shortlisted for funding.
The $27 million project requires $10 million in State Government funding to go ahead, with the Federal government committing $10 million to the project and Liverpool Plains Shire Council chipping in $7 million.
“The government says this project has been shortlisted, but after reaping billions from flogging off public assets the community expects a clear answer,” Mr Mookhey said.
A spokesperson for Minister Blair’s office said the Werris Creek project was one of eight identified as eligible for funding in the Safe and Secure Water Program.
“An initial eight projects were identified as eligible for funding under the program, one of which includes the Werris Creek Water Treatment Plant in the Liverpool Plains Shire Council,” the spokesperson said.
“DPI Water is fast-tracking an initial assessment of all eight projects, to allow them to be formally considered by Infrastructure NSW, under the Restart NSW Fund Act 2011.
“Infrastructure NSW will then make a recommendation to the Treasurer under the terms of the Act and successful proponents will be required to enter into funding deeds with the Treasurer.”
Liverpool Plains Shire Council Mayor Andrew Hope last week told The Leader council was campaigning for the project for the past 14 years and he was grateful to MPs Kevin Anderson and Michael Johnsen (Upper Hunter) for the progress made so far.
The project is expected to virtually drought proof the towns and villages of Werris Creek, Quirindi and Willow Tree. The formal expressions of interest process for the funding is expected to open in July.
