Yass Council has declared its confidence in Murrumbateman’s water supply as it looks for a new source. Photo: sonsam.
More than $100,000 will be spent on investigating a new water supply for Murrumbateman.
The funding is part of the latest round of the NSW Government’s Regional Housing Strategic Planning Fund (RHSPF).
According to the RHSPF project page, the grant will cover $191,065 of the project, with Yass Valley Council (YVC) co-contributing $16,875.
“[This will] prepare a technical feasibility study on the transfer of water from Canberra to Murrumbateman including refined information on cost, duration, resources, benefits and risks to the overall water transfer project,” the website states.
In a statement, Yass Mayor Jasmin Jones said she hoped the funding would unlock more homes.
“Transferring water across the ACT to Yass Valley could rapidly unlock housing for families, professionals, and essential workers in our sought-after and strategic location within the Capital region – we’re such a great place to build a family life and as 60 per cent of our workforce already travel outside of the LGA, we know we play a vital part of the region’s labour force housing supply.”
Vice-president of the Murrumbateman Community Association (MCA) Rowan Geddes said the town’s existing residents had long faced a lack of water.
He said that while a new pipeline and upgrades to Yass’ water treatment network were appreciated, growth had left ongoing concerns about capacity.
“I don’t know the exact numbers, but I would say, probably, 70 to 80 per cent of the houses out here would be on tank water.
“There’s the water pipe from Yass … Yass is also growing and expanding, so the pressures on water for Yass and Murrumbateman and the surrounding area are just extreme.”
Mr Geddes said the MCA had been pushing to see water addressed in the town’s developing masterplan.
He believes the document will “address all of this stuff” and ensure Murrumbateman’s growth is handled sustainably.
“[It would mean] we can support the new businesses and new sporting clubs and new residents … It is almost a human right, and we just don’t have enough.
“We’re a semi-rural area, and it doesn’t rain much out here, which is the reality of it. Having access to Canberra’s water supply is enormous.”
A YVC spokesperson said the new pipeline would “provide for options for future growth” in the area.
They said water was currently available for 600 additional dwellings at Murrumbateman, but further growth would need a new water source.
“The studies being undertaken into this pipeline are part of the process for identifying new water supply options.”
They also said YVC remained confident in the water supply and access for Yass Valley.
The ACT Government has called for “a commensurate benefit” to the Territory as part of any cross-border water supply arrangement. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Across the border in Canberra, the ACT Government said negotiations were ongoing for a new cross-border water supply agreement.
“[That will] provide a limited amount of potable water to nearby townships, that may include Murrumbateman, on a no-commitment basis,” a spokesperson said.
“Negotiations are ongoing and are yet to be finalised.”
The spokesperson also welcomed work on a study into the matter by YVC.
“[The] costs of any water transfer infrastructure would be met by Yass Council and/or the NSW Government, so it is useful for them to understand the technical feasibility and costs associated with any such project.”
Mr Geddes said the MCA would be following the outcomes of the feasibility study closely.
“We see this as a positive step … [They should] plan Murrumbateman strategically and stop ad hoc development of housing and businesses.
“We’re very keen on preserving the rural aspects and the reasons why people move out here, which is for a semi-rural lifestyle … At the same time, we appreciate that more houses are coming, and we also appreciate that we desperately need a much better supply of water out here.”
The council spokesperson also said work was continuing on a masterplan for North Murrumbateman, which would be used to inform the review of the council’s Settlement Strategy.
