Critical water and sewer infrastructure destroyed by floods has received State funding, but the Recovery Minister says she’s “still on the case” for a resilient land package to develop flood-free land for housing in Cabonne.
Cabonne Council and Central Tablelands Water have welcomed news the NSW Government will fund repairs to sewer pumping stations and water services damaged in the 2022 flood event, which didn’t meet the criteria for other government disaster relief.
Good news finally came in response to MP Phil Donato’s lobbying with $27 million for restoration of central west infrastructure in the 2025-2026 State budget handed down on Tuesday 24 June.
Cabonne Shire Council will receive $300,000 for repairs they had to make to damaged sewer pump stations, Central Tablelands Water $300,000 for repairs to water services – these including Eugowra.
A major focus of the funding is the $22.9 million rebuild of the Lake Endeavour water pipeline in Parkes Shire, and repairs to infrastructure at Lake Cargelligo have also been funded.
Latest Stories
Mayor Kevin Beatty and Central Tablelands Water chairperson Cr Andrew Rawson were among those who on Tuesday welcomed Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin to the region and thanked her as well as Mr Donato for their work to get this funding.
The minister, from Lismore, has personal experience of the devastation of flooding.
“In Cabonne on the night and early morning of the floods in November 2022 we had staff out trying to put people back into some level of normality with potable water,” Cr Rawson said.
“A lot of shell-shocked people including our staff who were out there trying to get the water supply back on hand.
“This funding now I think also recognises the impact that that sort of event has on the people on the ground, including the staff who were out there.”
The broader work of flood recovery continues and Cr Beatty with general manager Brad Byrnes has also met with Minister for Emergency Management and Regional Development Kristy McBain to talk about the roll-out of the resilient homes package and further needs from the region.
“The biggest point - and we’ve raised this from day one really – is a resilient land package, especially for Eugowra,” Cr Beatty said.
“If people are offered buybacks, which they are going to be, where do they go to live? We need somewhere for them to live.
“What we’re asking for is a land package supported by the government – we’ve identified a portion of land which would be suitable and really to develop that land to a stage where people can go and build is going to cost $2.5 million.”
On Tuesday, Minister Saffin said she was well aware of Cabonne’s vision for a resilient land package and extended a level of assurance to the community.
“Without going into detail, Phil (Donato) and I are still on the case,” Minister Saffin said.
