Orange Water Supply

Mr GERARD MARTIN: My question is addressed to the Minister for Water. What is the latest information on the Iemma Government's effort to provide emergency drought relief to Orange and the Central West?

Mr NATHAN REES: I thank the member for Bathurst for his longstanding interest in water matters, and his tireless advocacy on behalf of the people of Bathurst and the Central West. On the weekend I was in the Central West. I was in Mudgee on Friday night and Saturday morning, with the member for Orange, at the Rural Fire Services Association annual conference. It was terrific to knock around with some of our volunteers, the backbone of our community, in Orange.

[Interruption.]

That does not deserve a response, George! One cannot help but notice, driving around central western New South Wales, the dry nature of the countryside, where some 62 per cent remains in the grip of the worst drought in 100 years. Whilst attention has been focused on the Murray and Lachlan valleys, the Central West, particularly the area around Orange, is under intense pressure. The town water supply of Orange is being directly affected. Orange, with 38,000 people and a $1.8-billion economy, is a large regional centre that requires water supply certainty in order to guarantee its ongoing commerce and economy. In May the dams in Orange were at 30 per cent, and as of last weekend they are down to 28 per cent. Orange city remains on level five water restrictions applied by Orange council. Level five restrictions means one hour of outside watering with a bucket each week—severe straits for the good people of Orange. The stark reality is no hosing of gardens, no topping up of swimming pools, no car washing or no hosing of hard surfaces, walls or windows.

If we see a repeat of recent rainfall and rainfall patterns, the water supply of Orange will fail in as little as 15 to 16 months. Even more frightening, with no rain the Orange water supply will be cut off in as little as 12 months, and the economy of the Central West will be in danger of collapse. Last year the Iemma Government committed that no town in New South Wales will be allowed to run out of water. In keeping with that commitment, it has delivered $47 million for emergency drought works across New South Wales, including $20 million for the Goulburn-Mulwaree pipeline, $2 million for pipeline construction in Cowra, and a number of—

[Interruption.]

The SPEAKER: Order! I place the member for Wakehurst on two calls to order.

Mr NATHAN REES: Not that the member for Wakehurst would know a lot about drought.

The SPEAKER: Order! I call the member for Wakehurst to order for the third time. He will cease interjecting.

Mr NATHAN REES: In addition, $1 million for refurbishment of a well in Tamworth, and more than 80 local drought management plans funded across New South Wales. The Government said it will not let Orange run out of water, and it will meet that commitment. The Government has been working closely with Orange City Council since the middle of last year. I am pleased to inform members of the House that the Iemma Government is offering $4.45 million to Orange City Council that will meet 50 per cent of the cost for emergency drought works, including stormwater harvesting at Blackman's Swamp, the re-connection of Lake Canobolas to the town water supply, and the investigation and development of new groundwater sources south of Orange. It is estimated those measures will yield 3,000 megalitres, or the equivalent to fill 3,000 Olympic pools, each year, half of the annual consumption of Orange.

[Interruption.]

The SPEAKER: Order! I call the Leader of The Nationals to order.

Mr NATHAN REES: The Leader of The Nationals is welcome to come through my door at any time to talk about that or any other matter. The Orange mayor welcomed today's news saying that the Government's contribution will mean the city-saving project can now go ahead and it will provide much-needed water security for the city. Orange City Council devised the plans and the Government is backing it with the funds. These measures are aimed at shoring up the potable water supplies of Orange in the short term. The Government has much more news to come for the medium and long term.

Question time concluded.