CRANKY ROCK PREFERRED SITE FOR NEW CENTRAL WEST DAM

[Member]

Troy Grant MP Kevin Humphries MP
Deputy Premier of NSW Minister for Natural Resources,
Minister for Regional Infrastructure Lands and Water
and Services Minister for Western NSW
MEDIA RELEASE
Monday 9 February 2015


CRANKY ROCK PREFERRED SITE FOR NEW CENTRAL WEST DAM

NSW Deputy Premier Troy Grant and Minister for Natural Resources, Lands and Water Kevin Humphries today released a preliminary study by Water NSW that recommends Cranky Rock as the most suitable site for a new dam in the Central West.
Visiting the potential site near Orange yesterday, Mr Grant said the scoping study, Water Security for Regions: Belubula and Lachlan River Dam Investigation, found the Cranky Rock site could enhance regional water security.
“Just seven months ago the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government announced a plan to construct the first dam in Western NSW in almost 30 years,” Mr Grant said.
“A Belubula River dam will cater for future population growth in the region, while also helping local communities improve agricultural productivity and combat drought conditions. Further detailed analysis will now be undertaken to determine if Cranky Rock should be the site of our next inland dam.”
Mr Humphries said the Cranky Rock solution avoided the engineering challenges and significant environmental considerations associated with Cliefden Caves at the alternative Needles Gap location.
“Cranky Rock was chosen from 15 sites investigated in the Belubula and Lachlan catchments. A large dam of up to 700 gigalitres at Cranky Rock has the potential advantages of increasing water security for central councils and other users throughout the Lachlan Valley,” Mr Humphries said.
“A Cranky Rock water supply would allow Carcoar Dam to be networked into Central Tablelands Water, allowing it to extend the network and provide back-up drought supplies and secure water to a number of towns beyond the current network.
“The initial high level study took into account the economic, social and environmental factors, with further investigations to include in-field investigations and a cost-benefit analysis.”
Member for Orange Andrew Gee said the report was an important first step in securing a new, reliable water supply for the Central West.
“I congratulate community members who contributed to the report and helped the Government find this solution,” Mr Gee said.
The Government will continue to ensure local landholders are closely consulted throughout all stages of the project’s development. Sorry, only registered users can see this content. Please Login or Register.