An $11 million drought-resilience project has been completed in Walcha, New South Wales.

The project features a 300 megalitre off-stream storage dam, a pump station, and an extensive pipeline network. 

The new infrastructure aims to increase water security and quadruple the town’s water reserves, providing significant benefits to the local community as it prepares for a drier climate.

The project received $2 million in funding from the Federal Government through the National Water Grid Fund and $9 million from the New South Wales Government. 

During the last severe drought in 2019, Walcha’s 3,000 residents faced prolonged water restrictions as supply levels dwindled to critical levels. 

“The completion of this major water security infrastructure project will provide four times the water storage Walcha currently has, giving the town more water to lean on during the next dry period,” said NSW Water Minister Rose Jackson.

Additionally, the NSW Government and Walcha Council concluded a $1.8 million sewerage network upgrade in February. 

This upgrade, separate from the water security project, included a new 20-megalitre storage pond, alongside other infrastructure enhancements. 

Federal Environment and Water Minister Tanya Plibersek highlighted the broader implications of the project in the context of climate change. 

“The threat of climate change for regional communities like Walcha is very real, and we know droughts are becoming more extreme and frequent,” she said. 

Plibersek described the completed project as a “safeguard” for the town’s water supply, ensuring access to drinking water even during extended droughts.

“We copped the brunt of the last drought with the town being subject to tough water restrictions over many months,” Walcha Mayor Eric Noakes said.