Parkes Shire Council has received $27 million funding to go towards the $60 million cost of the projects.

The funding was announced late December by local State Member for Orange, Andrew Gee on behalf of the NSW Minister for Primary Industries, Lands and Water, Niall Blair.

Parkes Mayor Ken Keith was thrilled with the announcement, but was just as happy to learn that much of the spending would flow back into Parkes.

“Approximately 35 percent of the tender will be locally procured,” he said.

“Consequently many millions of dollars will be directly returned to our local economy.”

Mr Gee announced that Parkes Shire Council will receive financial assistance of approximately $18 million for the new water treatment plant which represents some 45% of the cost, and just over $9 million or (38%) of the cost for the new sewerage treatment plant.

That represents $27 million of the $60 million - the remainder being met by council.

“This announcement is fabulous news for the Parkes community,” Mayor Keith said.

“Water quality and security is a fundamental part of modern society. 

“Water security for regional NSW is challenging, but vital, especially if communities are to attract investment, grow and thrive. 

“This announcement means that Parkes Shire Council will be able to improve our drinking water quality and future-proof the water supply to Parkes and Peak Hill as well as implementing state of the art water treatment and management. 

“Council has worked with both the Federal and State Government and has undertaken a number of initiatives to ensure a safe and robust water supply. 

“We have just completed the Lake Endeavour upgrade, and with the assistance of a NSW Government Restart Grant is also upgrading the Lachlan River raw water intake and refurbishing Bore 8 in the Lachlan River Borefield.

“Council was also successful in receiving an $8 million grant from the Federal Government through the Building Stronger Regions Scheme for a recycle water ring main from the new sewage treatment plant around the town, to enable the use of water that would otherwise be lost, to be used on sporting fields and other open space areas.”

Cr Keith publically wished to thank the Minister, Mr Blair for his support and funding offer.

“I would also like to acknowledge the hard work of our local member for Orange, Andrew Gee MP and thank him for his guidance and support through the funding process.”

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Council Director of Infrastructure, Andrew Francis said work would commence very shortly.

“Council has over the past few months been undertaking a selective tender for the delivery of both the water and sewage treatment plant. 

“This process included many workshops with the potential tenderers, looking at their safety records, speaking to previous clients and visiting existing sites. 

“During the tender process council encouraged the tenders to include local content in their submissions, which was why council and the Parkes Chamber of Commerce hosted a very successful networking night for local businesses and the proponents,” Andrew said.

“After a thorough process of vetting the potential tenders, council is pleased to announce that John Holland has been awarded the tender to deliver both the water and sewerage treatment plants.

“ John Holland's tender bid indicated approximately 35 per cent of their tender will be locally procured, which will provide a significant boost for the local economy. 

“We look forward to working with John Holland and welcome them to the Parkes community for the construction of these milestone projects. 

“The work on the two sites will commence immediately and we will be letting the community know exactly how the whole project will unfold over the next few weeks.”

Parkes Shire Council has been working towards this major infrastructure for some 20 years and is aiming for completion of both the sewerage and treatment plans by June 2017.

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Member for Orange Andrew Gee said the funding was well deserved.

‘The new water filtration plant and associated works will put high quality filtered water on tap, enabling a safe, secure and reliable water supply for the Parkes, Peak Hill and Cookamidgera communities,” he said.

“Politics should never descend into the sewer, but this is one occasion where I’m glad it has.

“This funding enables Parkes Shire Council to construct a new sewage treatment plant.

“The existing plant is 80 years old and well past its use-by date.

“The reality is that local councils don’t have the means to undertake such major infrastructure projects by themselves so it’s very important that the NSW Government steps in to help them out. 

“Parkes Shire Council is certainly deserving of this important funding,” Mr Gee said.

The new sewage treatment plant will produce better quality effluent, ensuring the health of the local environment and down stream waterways. 

“The new plant will also provide treated effluent to be re-used at the Parkes golf course, Parkes racecourse and adjacent farms.”