Deputy Prime Minister and Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce was joined by Liverpool Plains Shire Council Mayor Doug Hawkins today to announce $5 million in Federal funding for council’s Quipolly Water Project.
The funding comes as part of today’s Building Better Regions Fund and will go towards construction of water supply infrastructure to improve water availability, quality and security to Quirindi, Werris Creek and Willow Tree.
Mr Joyce, who is also Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development said today’s announcement will ensure people and businesses in the area have access to a reliable water supply for generations to come.
“This is a significant project for the region, and I’m proud to be part of the Liberal and Nationals government that has delivered this funding for the people of the Liverpool Plains Shire.
“Water infrastructure is critical to securing long term investment and economic growth in the New England,” Deputy Prime Minister Joyce said.
Five million dollars in funding from the Federal Government for the Quipolly Water Project will ensure clean, safe water for Werris Creek and Qurindi in decades to come, Liverpool Plains Shire Council Mayor, Cr Doug Hawkins OAM said.
Cr Hawkins thanked the Deputy Prime Minister, Barnaby Joyce for his efforts in ensuring the best water security possible for the area.
“This will give our council area a point of difference to other Local Government Areas in having this water security,” he said.
“We can lay a really secure foundation for future economic development and growth with a water security trump card like this.”
Cr Hawkins said work is expected to begin very soon with laying a pipeline between Qurindi and Werris Creek.
Today’s announcement brings the total Federal funding for this project to $15 million, following $10 million that was announced in April 2018.
The Coalition Government has also funded three other significant projects in New England, including $631,000 to upgrade the Inverell Regional Livestock Exchange, $154,710 to implement leadership development programs across rural areas and $71,839 to identify skills shortages and service gaps in regional NSW.
Under Round 5 of the BBRF, the Government has committed almost $300 million to support 295 projects across regional Australia, which will create an estimated 9,900 jobs during the project period.
This latest funding round takes our total support through the BBRF to $1.38 billion across nearly 1,300 projects.