Wednesday, 31 August 2022
MEMBER for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall joined Armidale Regional Council Mayor Sam Coupland recently to turn the first sod of soil to formally commence construction on the new $11.5 million Puddledock Dam water pipeline.
The new pipeline will connect the 730 megalitre water reservoir at Puddledock – Armidale’s former primary potable water storage – with council’s current water treatment plant.
Mr Marshall said the project, which is jointly funded by the State Government and Armidale Regional Council, would provide improved water security to the city of Armidale, giving it access to more potable water – the equivalent of an extra three months’ of unrestricted water consumption.
“I’m delighted to see this project get underway and I commend the council on the work being done to secure the region’s water supply well into the future,” Mr Marshall said.
“This work will see the current pipeline replaced by almost 13 kilometres of a larger diameter pipe to allow enough water to be delivered to the town’s water treatment plant if the current supply fails for any reason.”
“Alongside the $27 million funding to raise the Malpas Dam wall, the work and foresight by the council will see any future water woes dry up and provide confidence for development and future industry.”
Mayor Sam Coupland was pleased that the project was now breaking ground.
“Water security can no longer be taken for granted in our region and is vitally important if we are to grow our population sustainably and drive job creation into the future,” Cr Coupland said.
“The new pipeline from Puddledock Dam to the water treatment plant is a small but important piece of Council’s water security strategy to ensure we are more resilient to drought and have the necessary water infrastructure to support population growth.”
The State Government provided $5.7 million for the new pipeline in 2020.