Griffith City Council’s Lake Wyangan Water Sustainability Project has received $6.9 million in funding, one of 40 projects approved through the Australian Government’s National Water Grid’s Connections Funding Pathway.
Farrer MP, Sussan Ley, said in a 50/50 agreement with NSW, the funding is being provided to dramatically improve the quality and reliability of water for Lake Wyangan.
“I was briefed on the issues affecting the lake from my first day as the City’s local MP, and just like the improvements we’re making in health, road safety, communications, housing and new sporting facilities, this is a fabulous outcome for the community,” Ms Ley said.
Griffith Mayor, John Dal Broi, said Council’s application to fund a pipeline from the Water Reclamation Plant to the South Lake was the first stage of a holistic approach to rejuvenate Lake Wyangan.
“The use of recycled water from the reclamation plant will free up fresh water from our annual allocation, to then be used for other purposes.
“We’re now progressing a detailed business case with NSW for the entire Lake Wyangan Plan, looking closely at costings, blue green algae management, salinity reduction, nutrient reduction, sediment control and cultural heritage protection,” Cr Dal Broi said.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Barnaby Joyce, said the Australian Government is investing in packages of water infrastructure projects brought forward by states and territories.
“Up to 1,175 jobs will be supported during construction, with over 2,550 ongoing and up to 500 more seasonal jobs set to be created nationally,” Mr Joyce said.
Up to $20 million was made available for each state and territory to deliver projects over the next two years, with an Australian Government contribution of up to $5 million per project.
For further information, visit www.nationalwatergrid.gov.au.
Some facts about the project include:
- Lake Wyangan (North Lake) will be retained as a recreational lake, with the South Lake retained as a working lake
- Water from several sources (including the reclamation plant) will be mixed within the South Lake to a quality suitable for irrigation of farms to the North West
- Water from the North Lake, together with fresh inflows from the irrigation supply network, will also be mixed within the South Lake for use by irrigators
- Only fresh water will be put into the North Lake (over time) to reduce salinity levels
- Improved circulation of water within the North Lake will assist in reducing the likelihood of blue-green algae blooms
