The release last week of the Greater Hunter Regional Water Strategy, proposes linking Singleton to Hunter Water Corporation– to ensure future water supplies.
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Minister for Regional Water, Niall Blair said the Strategy outlines key infrastructure projects and policies that will help secure water for the entire region, particularly during extended droughts.
“The Greater Hunter region is home to around 1.1 million people and covers a large and geographically diverse area from the Manning Valley to the Central Coast.
“This can create serious water supply challenges when one part of the region is impacted by drought while in others parts of the region water is plentiful.
“The Government is taking the first steps to ensure future water security by investing $4.3 million in the development of business cases for two major infrastructure projects.
The two business cases will investigate a two-way pipeline between Lostock Dam and Glennies Creek Dam and a potable water pipeline from Hunter Water Corporation’s network to Singleton.
Mr Blair said both of these projects could be used to transfer water between critical locations in times of drought.
“This strategy is about planning for the future, planning for the next 20-30 years so we can secure the Hunter’s economic future and support the growth of industries. As well as considering critical infrastructure, we will also explore new options in improving water reuse schemes for industry and environmental outcomes for our rivers and groundwater.”
Member for Upper Hunter, Michael Johnson said this strategy is key to catering for a growing population.
“The Greater Hunter region contributes around $50 billion annually to the NSW economy from industries such as electricity generation, mining and agriculture.
“Water is our most precious resource and how we manage it is key to our region’s ongoing success.”
The reports states: Analysis of the scenarios (combinations of drivers and infrastructure options) revealed that ‘business as usual’ was the single most economically, socially and environmentally undesirable scenario.
The studies identified that the connectivity of water distribution systems to reduce the risk of drought across the Greater Hunter region water supply network was the most effective strategy. This strategy involves infrastructure to link the large water storage capacity of the Upper Hunter valley with the higher water yielding Lower Hunter valley.
A distribution of the benefit study identified that changes to the market and water-sharing arrangements are necessary to optimise the benefit of infrastructure for both consumptive users and the environment. Any changes need to ensure there are no undesirable third-party impacts.
The strategy involves a combination of new infrastructure and better utilisation of existing assets. The Multi-Criteria Assessment (MCA) identified that the infrastructure options for further investigation:
• Construction of a two-way between Lostock and Glennies Creek Dam.
• Construction of a potable pipeline from Hunter Water Corporation (HWC) to Singleton.
• A large-scale water reuse scheme.
• Continued operation of the Barnard Scheme after Liddell Power Station closes. The strategy also allows AGL’s water infrastructure to be incorporated into a regional framework when Bayswater Power Station closes in 2035.
