Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall, left, and Armidale Regional Council Mayor Simon Murray inspect one of the new potable water test bores in Armidale.
Monday, 17 February 2020
THE hunt for a viable emergency groundwater supply for Armidale and Guyra has ramped up with Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall today announcing the State Government will provide $500,000 to Armidale Regional Council to continue test drilling for bores.
Mr Marshall said despite the welcomed widespread rain council must continue to look for ways to supplement the Malpas Dam water supply.
“This investigation into viable groundwater options for Armidale and Guyra potable water supply could possibly be among the most important fact-finding missions the council has undertaken,” Mr Marshall said.
“To date council has put down a number of test bores around Armidale and Guyra, but due to geography has had only marginal success locating sites which could provide a beneficial yield.
“In Armidale, test bores at O’Dell Street and along Rockvale Road are looking promising, however more investigation is needed to see if they will provide enough water to supplement the city’s supply should Malpas Dam run dry.
“The situation at Guyra is more promising with council currently in the process of connecting two successful bores, one at the Showground and another at Izzeard Park, to the town’s water treatment plant which is great news for that community.
“It’s expected in coming weeks water drillers will be back at Guyra and testing two further holes which show early signs of significant yield.”
Mr Marshall said the State Government was still treating the region’s water situation as a serious emergency.
“While the recent wet stuff has provided relief for large areas of the region we are by no means out of the woods with Malpas Dam still only sitting at 37 percent,” he said.
“I’m pleased to see council is leaving no stone unturned in regards to water security with the announcement it will proceed with the $12 million upgrade of the pipeline from Armidale to Puddledock Dam, turning Puddledock into a back-up emergency supply.
“The Armidale community has successfully reduced water to just 150 litres per person per day, but residents can’t afford to get complacent, especially if this drought continues.
“The government has moved quickly and decisively to assist our region during this drought and I will continue to work hard to raise the Malpas Dam wall to double water storage capacity.”