Barraba Water Supply

Mr PETER DRAPER (Tamworth) [8.00 p.m.]: Many people in the community of Barraba felt that their vision for the future was being shattered when they awoke to a lead story on ABC New England Northwest news, plus a front page headline in the Northern Daily Leader stating "High & Dry—No to Barraba Pipeline". The media coverage referred to an item in the business paper for Tamworth Regional Council's meeting scheduled for Thursday 26 June 2008. Item 6.1, which relates to the Barraba water supply security, Split Rock pipeline investigation, states:

Recommendation—In relation to the report—(i) not proceed with the Split Rock Dam Pipeline Option as a raw water source for Barraba on the basis of the high capital cost.

After 14 years of discussion and investigation the recommendation was like a kick in the teeth to community leaders and other visionaries who have vigorously pursued a permanent solution to Barraba's water supply problems. Cost has always been put up as the major obstacle to this project. In 1994 the Department of Public Works and Services recommended a pipeline from Split Rock Dam, then costing $3.36 million, as the preferred option for a secure, quality water supply; two years ago a State Government report gave an indicative costing of $6.6 million, while Thursday night's council meeting will be told that over $15 million is the current estimate, and that is for town supply only, not a provision for industrial development. Due to the ongoing drought conditions in 2006 Tamworth Regional Council, with assistance from the New South Wales Government, began work on emergency groundwater supply works, which resulted in two bores being brought into operation in November 2007.

I am sure that the money spent on reports and emergency measures has far exceeded the $3.6 million pipeline costing in 1994, yet Barraba still does not have a satisfactory, guaranteed, safe domestic supply, let alone one that would attract industry. The recommendations going to Thursday night's council meeting will still involve major costs, possibly de-silting Connors Creek Dam, upgrading the Barraba water treatment plant to incorporate water softening, plus upgrading the activated carbon treatment facility to allow the continuous treatment of blue-green algae. Discussions will commence with the Department of Water and Energy regarding utilising the recently completed emergency bores as part of a permanent water supply and undertaking further investigation into the possibility of providing additional groundwater bores. David Kelly, who is a Barraba resident, was the chair of the first public meeting held about the issue. On hearing the news that the pipeline project may be abandoned he expressed the thoughts of many when he said:

I'm pretty disgusted with this revelation. It's just one of those things that make it very hard for a small town to survive. Without a decent water supply you can't grow your population, you can't grow industries, so it really spells, not the death knell, but it certainly makes life very difficult.

I have pointed out that cost has always been the prohibitive factor in advancing this project, but some of Mr Kelly's other comments are food for thought. He said:

To me expense is not the issue. The issue is I suppose almost something like a basic human right, or the provision of a basic human right, and that provision really is a safe, secure, water supply. These days no one expects to water the lawn 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, you've got to have some kind of balanced approach, but the Barraba water supply is absolutely appalling, not only in quality, but in terms of its reliability. This decision will probably encourage some to leave, but the important issue is it's not the ones who are leaving, it's the ability to be able to encourage others to come.

Bill McKidd has a boutique business, Barraba Beef, which he would like to expand but is restricted in his plans because the community does not have a secure water supply. Rural communities like Barraba need to foster industries such as that of Mr McKidd, and be able to encourage entrepreneurs wanting to invest in regional industry and provide an expanded jobs base. Shirley Close is a former Barraba mayor and current Tamworth regional councillor. Shirley has been a passionate advocate for the pipeline proposal. She too has been shocked by the recommendation to the council, saying:

I just can't believe we will be looking at this so negatively. I think it's something where you need to have a bit of vision. You need to have a bit of forward planning, and it needs to be dealt with now, for the future. Nathan Rees was at a water conference in Inverell last year and he did make the statement that he would be trying to make sure that all towns had secure water supplies in his term of responsibility. I think that's a bit of vision. I think that is what we need to be focused on at this point in time.

I have spoken personally to Minister Rees on this matter and he has indicated to me that he would be willing to take the proposal to the Federal Government in an attempt to secure infrastructure funding. I sincerely hope that Tamworth Regional Council will defer any decision on the pipeline while all possible funding avenues through both State and Federal authorities are fully explored. It is obvious that the Barraba community will need cooperation at all levels of government to bring its vision to reality, similar to the cooperation that recently secured Goulburn's water supply. A pipeline from Split Rock Dam has always been identified as the most expensive option, but it is the only guaranteed option that will secure supply for this township. It is a project that should be supported by every tier of government and it must be built.

Question—That private members' statements be noted—put and resolved in the affirmative.

Private members' statements noted.