NSW Opposition Leader, Peter Debnam visited the Monaro last week to release the Liberal/Nationals $70 million "Droughtproofing Queanbeyan & Monaro " Action Plan on water, with Nationals' candidate for Monaro, David Madew.
Just six weeks out from the State Election, the Coalition as pushed the Braidwood Sewerage Treatment Plant up the priority list in the Country Town Water Supply and Sewerage Program, pledging to wholly fund the upgrade, which has been estimated at around $4 Million.
From the figures proposed by the Palerang Management Plan, the potential savings to rate payers of up to $1500 per year. The proposed sewer levy for Braidwood was set down as $739 in 06/07, $1,100 in 07/08, rising to $1,586 in 08/09.
"It's time for serious decisions and real investment in Monaro's water infrastructure" Mr Debnam said. "People living in Queanbeyan, Jerrabomberra, Bungendore, Braidwood, Cooma and other towns in Monaro deserved a plan to protect their dwindling water supplies and drought proof local communities."
The plan says that "Sydney Labor has severely neglected country NSW water infrastructure. It is unbelievable that during one of the worst droughts on record, local water utilities are struggling to find the money to fix leaky pipes and upgrade essential infrastructure.
In Government the NSW Liberal/Nationals Coalition will upgrade Braidwood's water sewage treatment plant, which services the entire Braidwood township. This will pave the way for large scale recycling for agricultural and industrial purposes in Braidwood and the surrounds."
The NSW Coalition's plan also includes guaranteed water for Queanbeyan and Bungendore by committing $60 million towards a pipeline from Googong Dam, a feasibility study on Tennent Dam, and a Queanbeyan/Southern Tablelands Regional Water Grid.
The plan also pledges water recycling and a new source of groundwater for Bungendore.
"Palerang Council has conducted research and identified a new ground water source within the Butmaroo Aquifer at Currandooly that could present a viable future water source. Subject to the final report and community consultation the NSW Liberal/Nationals Coalition will work with the Palerang Council to build a new treatment plant at the source of the groundwater and pipe the water to Bungendore."
"In partnership with the Palerang Council, the NSW Liberal/Nationals Coalition will build a major recycling facility in Bungendore to provide water for playing fields, commercial businesses and outdoor irrigation."
"We will allocate $5 million to complete these projects in partnership with the Palerang Council. This will drought proof Bungendore" says the report.
Further commitments in Monaro are an upgrade of Cooma's two Water Supply Reservoirs, solving the Nimmitabel Water Crisis by building Pigring Creek Catchment, a $1500 Rainwater Tank Rebate where they are plumbed into toilets/washing machines, and installing rainwater tanks in State Government buildings.
"When Sydney Labor signed the Cross Border MOU on Regional Settlement, it handed control over the future of Queanbeyan and Jerrabomberra. I believe the local community should control its own future" Mr Debnam said. "It's time for action, and I commend The Nationals' candidate for Monaro, David Madew, for driving the development of this plan to deliver results."
Mr Madew said there needed to be a review of current arrangements so that Queanbeyan, Jerrabomberra and Bungendore were guaranteed access to water from Googong Dam. "We're sick and tired of the ACT controlling the water in Googong Dam. We refuse to go cap in hand to Jon Stanhope for NSW water, it must be shared equitably for the benefit of the whole region," Mr Madew said.
Local Member Steve Whan has described the Coalition plans for Googong Dam as a "desperate bid to shore up the Liberal Candidate for Goulburn, the National's David Madew has created a disaster for Queanbeyan effectively putting any future expansion of the town in doubt." Whan asked "Why is he (Mr Debnam) promising to spend $60 million on a pipeline to Goulburn which Goulburn has not even asked for?
The Coalition plan says that the $70 million Drought Proofing will come from the $1 billion Drought Proofing NSW Water Infrastructure Fund.
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