FEDERAL funding for the Malpas pipeline has been reduced to a pipe dream, with a state government submission for finance rejected on the basis it was “significantly oversubscribed”.
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Member for New England Barnaby Joyce said the $12.8 million project was an “easy game plan” when he was minister.
“But we have a new minister and obviously I have to go back and lobby him,” he said.
“I support the pipeline and we’re making sure we put our shoulder to the war wheel as much as we can.
“It’s something that when I was the minister I had pencilled it in because it’s a no-brainer, I’ll be judged by my record.”
There’s been significant interest from horticulture industries looking to settle in Guyra, but none are prepared to sign on the dotted line without water security.
Armidale Regional Council applied for state and Commonwealth funding for the project, in the hopes of both governments splitting the cost fifty-fifty.
Construction is expected to begin in the second half of 2018 and could take up to 18 months to complete.
Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall is lobbying the state government for a $10.5 million commitment to the project.
“The pipeline is critical, putting aside the potential for horticulture developments, the dam provides the potential for the community to grow,” he said.
“There won’t be further investments without a guarantee of additional water supply.”
Guyra consumes roughly double the amount of water it can store, and residents have complained about old infrastructure causing ‘muddy’ tasting water.
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In the past, water storage hasn’t been too much of an issue in the high rainfall area.
But, with just 12 to 18 months of a dry period, as the New England region has seen for the past two months, the storage can drop significantly.
It’s not just a pipeline, Mr Marshall said.
“It’s new water treatment infrastructure, it’s the whole kit and caboodle.
“I’m hoping we can tip $10.5 million dollars, if the Feds’ can tip in a bit of money I think council and everyone will be happy.
“All we need to do is have the money, put out some tenders and crack onto it.”
Council spent $219,566 on a consultation for the Malpas pipeline, but cannot afford the $2 to $3 million needed to complete the project.
Mayor Simon Murray said that doesn’t mean council will give up on the project.
“We’ll be lobbying the relevant federal ministers to look at other funding options for the Malpas pipeline,” he said.