Water Efficacy Program Starts up in the Hunter

BY CHARLOTTE LLOYD

Social housing residents across the Hunter will now benefit from a new partnership between NSW Land and Housing Corporation (LAHC) and Hunter Water. 

The $6.14 million program in East Maitland has commenced already construction, committing to a new supply of social housing for potential residents in the area while also offering a decrease in living costs such as water bills. 

The complex includes seven two-bedroom units, 11 one-bedroom units and accessible parking spaces with 30 jobs set to come from the new establishment. 

This comes after the state Government's release of the 'Fast Track Housing Construction Package,' offering $400 million across NSW.

Hunter Water Managing Director, Darren Cleary, says he is confident in the new modern water fittings with almost 1200 social housing households benefitting from this upgrade. 

Tenants can expect ongoing water savings as well as reduced water and energy bills. 

“The works for each property include replacing old, single-flush toilets, installing water efficient showerheads, fitting aerators on taps and repairing leaks,” Mr Cleary said.

New partnership between NSW Land and Housing
Corporation (LAHC) and Hunter Water

Lower Hunter Water Security Plan on public exhibition

BY JARROD MELMETH

The NSW Government and Hunter water have released the draft Lower Hunter Water Security Plan and are inviting residents to have their say.

The plan has been three years in the making with a number of investigations and assessments undertaken as well as community consultation to ensure the communities concerns were heard and addressed.

A price increase for customers is anticipated due to the high cost of the planned infrastructure, however Hunter Water says bills will not change before July 1, 2024. Beyond that, there will likely be an increase to annual residential customer bills by between $75 and $120 per year. 

Hunter Water Managing Director, Darren Cleary says the recent drought helped highlight areas of concern which are addressed in the plan. 

“The recent drought rewrote the rules for many communities around New South Wales. New insights gained during the drought have confirmed that our region is more vulnerable to drought than we previously thought. The Hunter’s storages can go from typical operating levels to critical in less than three years. If drought were to continue beyond this, our region could run out of water.

"The plan looks at how we can ensure we can meet minimum water demands for the community through prolonged and severe drought and balancing the need to invest upfront with the need to not over invest given those events are rare, but certainly can occur," Mr Cleary said.

The plan does not include any new dams, rather making better use of existing dams and supporting a pipeline connection between Lostock and Glennies Creek Dams in the Upper Hunter which will allow the dams to transfer water stocks between the regions.

NSW Minister for Water Melinda Pavey says she is proud of the comprehensive work involving a whole of government approach to ensure we have sustainable and resilient water supply.

The draft plan is currently on exhibition for six weeks and information and feedback can found here. A webinar will be held on August 24 for those needing more information. Registrations are open at the link provided.

Pictured: Chichester Dam
Image: VisitNSW

Lower Hunter Dam Plans To Be Made Public

BY JARROD MELMETH

Hunter Water will be forced to table plans it has to build a dam in the Lower Hunter in the state Parliament.

Independent Upper House MLC Justin Field successfully moved a standing order which will require the company to release the documents within 21 days of the order.

Mr Field says its all about ensuring the government and Hunter Water are doing things by the books and that the process is transparent.

"I know there has been a lot of concern over the last decade or so about water planning in the Lower Hunter and we of course remember what happened with Tillegra Dam.

"The Community has spoken really clearly in the past. They don't want to see money going into new dams. They want to see it going into water efficiency and recycling.

"The latest community survey strengthened that argument and its clear there is a real concern that Hunter Water and the government are still pushing ahead with their plans for new dam proposals.

"Its clear we need all the information in the public domain will ensure that the community understands what Hunter Water is doing and Hunter Water understands that they must respond to the communities expectations," Mr Field said.

In particular Mr Field is focused on potential plans for dams at Limeburners Creek and Upper Chichester.

The current dam at Chichester. Photo Hunter Water.