Request for emergency grant as day zero draws closer

Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall, right, and Uralla Shire Mayor Mick Pearce with one of the hundreds of pallets of bottled water being delivered to Uralla residents. Picture: Supplied

Uralla and Bundarra townships are both predicted to run out of water by the end of June, leading Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall to urgently request $50,000 in funding to help efforts to extend the life of both town water supplies.

Mr Marshall said neither he nor the State Government would let any town in regional NSW run dry.

“With Uralla’s Kentucky Creek Dam at 31 per cent and Taylors Pond at Bundarra at 33 per cent immediate action is needed to ensure the community has access to potable water,” he said.

“Uralla Shire Council wrote to me yesterday advising of the dire situation and a strategy it has developed to manage the ongoing water shortage.

“This includes upgrades to existing water infrastructure, improved water monitoring technology and increased communication with the community in relation to its water usage."

Mr Marshall said the council still needs to investigate what specific infrastructure can be built quickly and will have the most significant impact in terms of ongoing water supply.

He added that he had asked Minister Pavey to provide an emergency $50,000 grant, so the council has as much time as possible to get water-saving measures in place in a bid to prolong day zero.

Mr Marshall said in the long-term Uralla needed to consider alternative water sources.

“Uralla is a vibrant community, and every step needs to be taken to ensure local businesses and industries have the water security they need to continue operating in the town,” he said.

“Unfortunately recent efforts to find a bore to supplement the town’s supply have not been fruitful. However, I am going to continue to work with council to ensure it has the ability to continue test drilling in the hope potable water may be found.

“I’m also pleased to hear Council is considering the use of recycled water for potable use, which if implemented, would take considerable pressure off the Kentucky Creek storage."

Mr Marshall said he is a "keen supporter" of the region become one of the first country communities in NSW to introduce recycled potable water.