Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall at Malpas Dam, where Guyra’s future water supply will be sourced from, thanks to a $12.375 million allocation in today’s NSW Budget.
Guyra to be drought-proofed with new Malpas Dam pipeline
THE Guyra township’s water woes will soon be in the past with today’s 2018-19 NSW Budget delivering a silver bullet solution, with $12.375 million to construct a water pipeline from Malpas Dam to Guyra.
A thrilled Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall, who has been lobbying for the pipeline’s construction for almost two years, said the new 15 kilometre pipeline and associated water treatment infrastructure at Guyra would permanently drought-proof the community and ensure continued growth in the region.
The funding means that Armidale Regional Council can now proceed immediately with the critical water security project.
“This pipeline will singlehandedly solve Guyra’s water security and quality issues for good and I couldn’t be happier for everyone in the community,” Mr Marshall said.
“With low rainfall threatening to leave Guyra dry in recent years, it was clear that action had to be taken to allow the community to continue to grow and its substantial horticultural industry to expand.”
Guyra uses an average 423 megalitres of water each year, with demand steadily increasing, which far exceeds the town’s current storage capacity of 277 megalitres. The pipeline will expand that capacity to more than 740 megalitres, exceeding anticipated growth over the next 30 years.
Mr Marshall said discoloured, foul smelling and poor quality potable water from the local water supply at Guyra had been an ongoing issue and would also be resolved with the pipeline and new water treatment facilities.
“This problem arises every time the town’s storage levels fall and with Guyra using far more water than is available in storage, this risked becoming a regular occurrence without immediate intervention,” he said.
“But a pipeline and the construction of a new treatment plant to replace the old one will permanently resolve those issues. This will not only benefit every resident who uses town water, but also help provide infinite capacity for Guyra’s expanding horticultural industry.
“This project is critical to unlocking Guyra’s growth potential and I thank the community and council for its incredibly strong support for this project.
“Together, we have ensured that Guyra’s water security is no longer a pipe dream.”