The NSW Liberals and Nationals have announced a $5 billion, 10-year investment plan to secure the state’s water future, which has been sorely neglected under Labor.
Under the Liberal and Nationals’ Regional Infrastructure Guarantee, a new fund will be established to replace the previous Safe and Secure Water Program, with royalties going towards the design and construction of regional water projects.
Under the Liberal and Nationals’ Regional Infrastructure Guarantee, a new fund will be established to replace the previous Safe and Secure Water Program.
The fund would be backed by legislation and supported by royalties.
Future Governments would be locked into continued investment in the sector so that no community is left behind.
Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman said our local economy, job market and housing growth are being stifled by infrastructure that has reached its limits.
“The program will unlock more new homes across the electorate from Yass to Moss Vale, in an effort to ease the pressure on the supply side of housing,” Mrs Tuckerman said.
Mrs Tuckerman said the former NSW Liberals and Nationals Government had a strong track record of investing in the essential water infrastructure needed to support growing regional communities.
“Across the Goulburn electorate, the former Coalition Government delivered $11.26 million for the Goulburn Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade, $25 million for the Moss Vale Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade and $6.6 million towards the Yass Water Treatment Plant Upgrade. These investments have been critical in supporting housing growth and economic development, but more work remains to be done.
Significant projects, including upgrades to the Marulan and Moss Vale Water Treatment Plants, new and expanded reservoir capacity in Yass and Upper Lachlan, and extensive water pipe replacement programs across many of our towns, will require further investment to ensure our communities can continue to grow and thrive.”
NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane said the program would be the largest ever ten-year investment in regional water in the state’s history and ensure clean water for every community.
“In some communities, people don’t have access to clean water. Brown water coming out of your tap is just not acceptable in 2026,” Ms Sloane said.
NSW Nationals Leader and Shadow Minister for Regional NSW Gurmesh Singh said the program will ensure communities right across regional NSW see the investment they need and deserve.
“This Program will build the foundational infrastructure needed to attract new families and new business to the bush now and in the future,” Mr Singh said.
Shadow Minister for Water Steph Cooke said the Program was designed following extensive consultation with the water and local government sectors, ensuring that funding is available to both replace aging infrastructure and support regional development.
“The Safe and Secure Water Program was a lifeline to regional areas, however, it did not fund programs to support housing development and industrial growth,” Ms Cooke said.
“Under a Liberals and Nationals Government, money will once again flow into more pressing infrastructure projects, such as pipelines and treatment plants, to ensure the health and liveability of residents today.”
The fund will be supported by royalties, meaning that regional communities will directly benefit from the resource sector they predominantly host.
“The resources sector relies on the strength of regional communities, and therefore, we see it as only fitting those royalties contribute to regional infrastructure,” Ms Cooke said.
