The Dungowan Dam Pipeline preferred route was finalised after months of extensive studies, assessments, technical investigations and community consultation.
NSW Minister for Water, Property and Housing Melinda Pavey was joined by Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson to announce the preferred route, which will run from the proposed new Dungowan Dam to Tamworth Regional Council’s Calala Water Treatment Plant.
Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said the announcement of the final pipeline route was an important step towards building the necessary infrastructure to deliver better resilience to the region.
“This new pipeline will replace the 70-year-old existing pipeline and bring more security to Tamworth’s current water supply,” Minister Joyce said.
“It means the community, farmers and businesses of this region can plan for future droughts and be confident they won’t run dry.”
The proposed Dungowan Dam and pipeline follows events of the summer of 2020, when Tamworth faced threatened water supply.
“This water insecurity threatened thousands of jobs and brought real hardship to our farmers and communities,” Mrs Pavey said.
The Dungowan Dam pipeline will deliver critical infrastructure and secure water supply for the people of Tamworth and the Peel Valley, as well as provide employment and boost the local economy in the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Construction of Stage 1 of the Dungowan pipeline is expected to start by early next year and will take 12-18 months (COVID permitting).
For more information visit the NSW Department of Planning, Industry & Environment website.