Gunnedah's $8 million water treatment centre finally reaches construction phase

The project, which is located on Kelvin Road opposite Gunnedah Airport, is going ahead largely thanks to NSW Health, which is contributing $7.4 million.

The facility will include a new fluoridation system and a more modern gas chlorination system, two one megalitre concrete reservoirs, and be capable of treating 20ML per day.

Gunnedah's peak water usage during the height of the drought in late 2019 was about 15 ML per day.

The centre will help the region through tough periods for a long time, according to Gunnedah Shire Council mayor Jamie Chaffey.

"Over the past five years, Council has been working closely with the state and federal governments to look at the big picture for Gunnedah and improve the overall infrastructure for our residents and for the anticipated population growth over the next 10 years," he said.

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"Modelling for the new centre has been based on our heaviest days of water usage - in the midst of the drought - and then expanded again to ensure this facility has the capability to deal with the potential demand.

"On behalf of Gunnedah residents, I thank NSW Health for making this new facility a possibility and supporting the health of our community."

The fluoridation system is being introduced at the behest of the National Health and Medical Research Council, which believes it will lead to better dental hygiene.

The contract for the work has been awarded to Newcastle-based Gongues Construction Pty Ltd, which also completed the Gunnedah Sewerage Treatment Plant upgrade in 2018.

Curlewis residents are also set to benefit from the construction of the new facility.

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