A grateful Parkes Mayor Neil Westcott gave a visibly heartfelt thank you to the Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin for her help in securing the funding
The Minns Labor Government is investing $27 million to restore vital water and sewer infrastructure in the Central West, helping communities recover from the 2022 floods and prepare for future disasters.
A major focus of the funding is the $22.9 million rebuild of the Lake Endeavour water pipeline in Parkes Shire, which will be reconfigured to a safer, flood-resilient location.
This pipeline is a critical component of the water supply system for around 10,000 residents and plays a vital role in supporting local agriculture and industry, including the Parkes Special Activation Precinct.
Rebuilding the Lake Endeavour pipeline will strengthen water security for local families and businesses, support local jobs and contribute to the region’s broader economic recovery.
The Lake Endeavour reservoir is a vital part of the Parkes water supply, ensuring continued access during drought and periods of low flow and poor water quality in the Lachlan River.
Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin said “I’ve seen the damage to Lake Endeavour firsthand. The risk of Parkes running critically low on water was simply unacceptable, especially with only one main supply left and with the threat of drought hanging over the community again.”
“Reliable water and sewer services are things people in the cities often take for granted. Our regional communities shouldn’t be left worse off after disasters.”
The funding follows close collaboration between the NSW Government, Parkes, Cabonne and Lachlan Shire Councils, local water authorities and local stakeholders.