Bingara’s water upgrade project under way

Bingara is a step closer to a clean and reliable water supply with tenders being awarded to Water Treatment Australia for the design and construction of 2.5ML/day water treatment plant.
Member for Northern Tablelands Richard Torbay welcomed the progress on the project which is expected to be completed by April next year.
The treatment plant is to be constructed between Keera Road and Old Keera Road and will increase the storage capacity of the town’s water supply through the construction of a 1.2ML concrete reservoir adjacent to the existing reservoir.
Earthworks have begun on the reservoir site and it is estimated the reservoir will be complete by the end of July this year.
Mr Torbay said the projects were funded by the state government Country Towns Water Supply and Sewerage Program and Gwydir Shire Council.
“It’s great to see this project under way after the negotiations with the government to cover 67 per cent of the tender price,” he said.
“We had a very successful meeting with the Minister and the Gwydir Shire delegates made a very strong case to gain this funding support.”
The MP said the urgent need for a filtration plant at Bingara came to a head in 2006 when traces of arsenic from old silver, gold and arsenic mines were found in the water supply.
“Bingara has a clear need for this plant, not only because of some pollution from old mines in the area but because a community of 1200 people is entitled to the best quality water supply,” he said.
“Council could not afford to contribute 50 per cent as is usually required with this type of funding but there were special considerations in this case and I have been pleased to work with the Council and the community to achieve this great outcome .”