WATER INFRASTRUCTURE…ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL!
Published on 07 April 2025
Member for Orange Philip Donato MP today, Monday 7 April 2025, joined with mayors of Lachlan and Parkes Shires, calling on the NSW Government to urgently fund repair of critical water infrastructure which was damaged in the 2022 Central West Flood Event.
“The flood event of 14th November 2022 ravaged communities across the Central West, causing unprecedented damage to property – including critical water infrastructure, “said Mr Donato.
“I am extremely grateful to both our state and federal governments for their rapid support and the essential disaster funding they’ve so far delivered to help our region rebuild in the wake of this devastating natural disaster.
“Unfortunately, existing flood recovery funding measures have failed to incorporate the repair or replacement of critical water and sewer assets that were damaged or destroyed in the 2022 Central West Flood Event,” Mr Donato said.
Mr Donato is the chair of the Central West Community Leaders Forum, whose charter is to direct federal and state government disaster funding through the NSW Reconstruction Authority to flood-impacted communities of the Central West following the November 2022 flood event. It was identified that local government’s flood-damaged or destroyed critical water and sewer infrastructure did not fit any existing criteria of funding, although the Northern Rivers flood event benefited from government funding for flood-damaged critical water and sewer infrastructure repair.
Mr Donato went on to say:
“I have been working hard behind the scenes, meeting with the Premier and key ministers, seeking allocation of funding for Parkes, Cabonne and Lachlan Shire Councils so they can undertake these urgent repairs to provide fresh water which their communities need.
“Despite efforts I’ve made, along with those by representatives of affected Local Government Areas of Cabonne Shire, Lachlan Shire and Parkes Shire – funding has yet to be allocated for the $20m-plus in essential repairs. I’ve personally made a budget submission to NSW Treasury, seeking prioritising of electorate funding for these repairs.
Our local councils are financially stretched and cannot foot this massive cost on top of their existing commitments – Parkes critical water infrastructure damage bill is more than $20m alone!
“The previous Government committed $145 million in funding to repair critical water assets damaged in the Northern Rivers floods – an event which occurred earlier in the same year as the Central West Flood. All we are asking for is equity of disaster recovery funding, for what is a vitally important asset for these country communities.
“Ready and reliable access to water is absolutely essential for our communities, and every day that passes is a day closer to the next drought.” Mr Donato said.
Mr Donato has also raised this issue on this on the floor of NSW Parliament:
Mr Donato’s Question Without Notice to Premier Minns, 24/09/24:
View here
Mr Donato’s Private Member’s Statement, 19/11/24:
View Here
Mr Donato’s Notice of Motion, 14/11/24:
View here
Mayor of Parkes, Cr Neil Westcott:
"We are not asking for special favours, our assets are no less destroyed than the northern rivers and theirs were fully funded by the NSW Government,” said Mr Westcott.
“Water supply to a town is surely essential infrastructure.
“Our peak supply has been reduced by 30%, we cannot afford to fix it, we need Government help …this is a very serious issue,” Mayor Neil Westcott said.
Mayor of Lachlan, Cr John Medcalf OAM:
“The Lachlan Shire was very disappointed that the damage to the Lake Cargelligo Sewerage System was not recognised as being eligible to receive State Government flood damage funding to keep the system operational and upgrade the sewerage to prevent further damage in the future.
“Lachlan Shire is unable to recoup adequate income from the ratepayers to carry out essential improvements,” Mayor John Medcalf OAM said.