Have your say on new Coleambally water efficiency project

The community is invited to have its say on a proposed new major water efficiency infrastructure project to help improve irrigation and boost environmental water in the Riverina.

The proposed $28.5 million Coleambally Irrigation Water Savings Program would involve building 4.7km of new pipeline, installing three regulating structures and re-lining 12km of earthen channels to reduce evaporation, seepage and water loss, saving over a billion litres for the environment.

In addition to the significant water savings, the project will boost drought resilience and strengthen water security for CICL customers through improved operational efficiency and water delivery capacity.

The project is the latest of several water efficiency proposals in the Riverina to be submitted for consideration under the Australian Government’s Resilient Rivers Water Infrastructure Program which aims to improve and modernise water delivery systems to reduce water losses.

CICL is a member-owned co-operative managing water delivery for about 630 farming, stock and gardening properties via gravity-fed open channels, stretching over 457,000 hectares between Darlington Point and Jerilderie.

The NSW Government will carefully consider all community feedback to help determine whether the project will progress to a formal funding application to the Australian Government.

Submissions close on 26 August. To lodge feedback, visit: Resilient Rivers Water Infrastructure Program

NSW DCCEEW Executive Director of Infrastructure Development Lisa Hingerty said:

“Water efficiency projects like the Coleambally proposal have the potential to deliver considerable environmental water savings for the Riverina region, lock-in better outcomes for agriculture and help us meet our obligations under the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.

“By improving water delivery to farmers and water users through smart infrastructure upgrades, we can minimise the need for water buybacks ensuring we are supporting Riverina communities and businesses over the long term.

“Community feedback will be key to helping us determine the best way to achieve major water savings and environmental gains and I encourage stakeholders to have their say by 26 August.”