PREMIER OFFICIALLY OPENS KEY PIECE OF TAMWORTH INFRASTRUCTURE

Tuesday, 08 November 2011 16:25

Media Releases - Kevin Anderson Media Release

 Thursday 27 October 2011

NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell today officially opened a vital piece of infrastructure in Tamworth, the Westdale Wastewater Treatment Plant and Effluent Reuse Farm which will play a key role in boosting the local economy.

Mr O’Farrell said he was delighted to mark the completion of the $80 million state of the art project, including a $10.5 million contribution from the NSW Government.

"This is an important facility for the future of the region and is a living example of how regional NSW produces world class facilities," Mr O’Farrell said.

"I congratulate Tamworth Regional Council’s vision in undertaking one of the region’s biggest capital works projects.

"This facility means Tamworth is one of the nation’s leading regions for water sustainability – the economic benefits of this investment will flow for generations to come.

"The capacity of the Effluent Reuse Farm to irrigate stock feed crops from treated water stored in the 35 hectare dam represents great potential for agribusiness.

"Other industries can also be facilitated in the region with the increase in capacity to license other industries that generate wastewater as part of production.

"I am committed to growing regional economies and the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government will continue working hard to promote steady and strategic growth in our regions," Mr O’Farrell said.

Tamworth Regional Council’s Mayor, Col Murray, said the official opening was an exciting milestone for the region.

"We believe there is no other local government area in inland NSW – and maybe Australia – which is able to use such large volumes of treated wastewater to grow pasture and fodder crops," he said.

"It puts the region in a class of its own when it comes to water sustainability," Councillor Murray said.

The local Member, Kevin Anderson congratulated the Tamworth Regional Council for leading the way for other local government areas through their innovative infrastructure and sustainable use of water resources.

"By stopping the discharge of excess treated wastewater into the local river system the infrastructure will also provide flow on benefits to our local environment and habitats," Mr Anderson said.

"The capacity of Westdale Wastewater Treatment Plant for treating domestic, industrial and commercial wastewater in Tamworth has almost doubled," he said.

The Westdale Wastewater Treatment Plant and Effluent Reuse Farm currently treats 12 megalitres – or almost six Olympic-sized pools – of wastewater daily from Westdale, Coledale, Taminda, Tamworth, Calala, Oxley Vale and Nemingha.

It is expected that by 2025 that amount will grow to 14.8 megalitres.

In early 2008 Tamworth Regional Council formed the Westdale Alliance with United Group Infrastructure and MWH Australia to design, construct and commission the upgrade of the original Westdale Sewage Treatment Works.

Realm Agribusiness was the successful tenderer for the contract to establish and manage the Effluent Reuse Farm for Tamworth Regional Council.