General manager Robert Loadsman has welcomed the news that the water authority’s long term project to develop a borefield and water treatment plant at Nabiac will progress to the submission stage of the Water Security for Regions funding program.

“Securing good quality, reliable water supplies is more important than ever in the current climatic conditions,” Mr Loadsman said.

“Locally we are carefully watching river levels as we continue to experience hot, dry conditions that may well see us consider water restrictions very soon.”

Currently the Manning and Forster-Tuncurry areas are supplied with water drawn from the Manning River into Bootawa Dam – and supplies are reliant on strong flows in the river.

With climatic change providing drier conditions and the possibility of lower flows in the river more often, MidCoast Water is keen to develop their long-term plan to secure an alternative water supply for the area.

“We have been working towards the development of a borefield and water treatment plant at Nabiac to support the Manning River supply for some time, securing State Government funding would progress the project much quicker than we would be able to otherwise achieve,” Mr Loadsman said.

MidCoast Water has been steadily working on the project for some time, with the $32.4 million project still requiring an injection of $19.2 million to see it completed.

Mr Loadsman explained the authority has already significantly progressed the project with the bores, under river pipeline and balance tank at Darawank all in place and completely funded by MidCoast Water.

“We have also allocated $3.1 million in the 2014-15 budget to complete designs and start preliminary construction activities on the water treatment plant on the borefield site.

“Our board has made securing the Manning’s water supply its number one objective, so the delivery of this important project for our community is our priority.

“The news that we do meet the criteria for the funding and have a chance of securing some funds for this important regional project is very welcome.”

The development of the Nabiac project would not only provide MidCoast Water and the region with improved water security it would provide a multi-million dollar injection into the Mr Loadsman said MidCoast Water had been working with local Member for Myall Lakes Mr 

Stephen Bromhead with representations to the NSW Government to source additional government funding to fast track the construction the water treatment plant.

MidCoast Water has also been working closely with Steve Atkins, the Economic Development Manager with the Manning Valley Business Chambers and Regional Development Australia to source funding for the important project.