The option of tapping into the water pipeline and creating an additional rural water supply to property owners between Scone and Murrurundi will come under the microscope for a second time next week.
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The Upper Hunter Shire Council is investigating the feasibility of creating outputs off the pipeline, which is due to start construction next year, to provide a source of water separate to the town water supply to be used for domestic and stock.
The concept of a Rural Water Supply Scheme was first investigated by the council in 2002 when the option to provide a private irrigation scheme to provide water for intensive cropping and livestock activities was researched.
A further study was commissioned in 2007, however due to the uncertainty of the Glenbawn to Scone pipeline (now constructed) the project was put on hold, however the council now sees areas of potential demand with the approval of the new Scone to Murrurundi pipeline and an opportunity for the scheme to “piggy back” off that project.
Upper Hunter Shire Council Business Enterprise and Tourism manager Sean Constable said the council owns 700 mega litres of Hunter River allocation for the scheme and they are looking for the potential to use that to supply to the agriculture industry between Scone and Murrurundi, or out to the west to the Cressfield and Dry Creek Road areas.
“We are putting the call out to any farmers or landholders in that area that would like to connect to the scheme for stock and domestic use.
“The costs of the water will depend on the demand and the number of people spread across the geographical area that would use it,” he said.
“While the pricing is still being developed, the price is likely to be at rates similar to those for urban supply plus a one off installation fee.
“People may be relying on rain water or wells for their livestock and crops, this has the potential to provide reliable water security all year around.”
A meeting is being held at the Upper Hunter Shire Council on Tuesday, May 12 at 6pm to gauge the demand to warrant further research into the scheme.
Potential participants will be expected to contract their demand in the next two months.
Mr Constable said he recommends anyone interested in the scheme attends the workshop.
For more information, contact Mr Constable on 6540 1135, 0428 659 705 or email sconstable@upperhunter.nsw.gov.au
