Learn about water security for the Belubula Valley

Central West communities are being invited to learn more about proposed new water infrastructure projects that could improve supply, lock-in water security and boost drought resilience at information sessions taking place next week.

Locals will have the opportunity to get a better understanding of the $7.7 million Belubula Water Security Project that is delivering a Full Business Case (FBC) exploring the feasibility of:

• Building a new pipeline between Lake Rowlands Dam and Carcoar Dam which could transfer up to 2GL of water per year, capturing spills and boosting supply
• Raising the Lake Rowlands Dam wall to increase storage from 4.5GL to 8GL securing water for Central Tablelands communities and potentially Orange
• Building a new dam 2.5km downstream of Lake Rowlands
• Developing operational rules for an existing two-way interregional pipeline that connects Orange to the Belubula catchment

These four options are shortlisted in the Lachlan and Macquarie-Castlereagh Regional Water Strategies as part of a range of innovative measures to future-proof water for towns in the Central West including Blayney, Carcoar and Canowindra.

Drop-in community sessions are being held at the following locations:

• Tuesday 25 March: 12pm–5pm, Orange Central Square Shopping Centre
• Wednesday 26 March: 10:30am–12:30 pm, CWA Canowindra Branch Hall
• Wednesday 26 March: 3:30pm–6:30pm, Central Tablelands Collection Facility, Bathurst
• Thursday 27 March: 11am–2pm, Blayney Shire Community Centre

Locals can also register for a webinar on Tuesday 1 April 2025 between 5:30pm–6:30pm.

A feedback survey is also available on the project page and is open until 5pm on Friday 5 April.

The FBC will enable the NSW Government to carry out detailed planning work and technical, environmental and cultural heritage assessments, concept design and engineering, as well as a thorough cost benefit analysis to determine if any of these projects are viable.

Work on the FBC is expected to be completed by early 2026. There will be further community consultation over the next 12 months as the project progresses.

The project is funded 50/50 by the Australian Government through the National Water Grid Fund and the NSW Government.

For more information, go to: Belubula Water Security Project.

NSW DCCEEW Executive Director Infrastructure Development Lisa Hingerty said:

“We know there are unique water challenges in the Central West and drought resilience is always front of mind for the community which is why we are getting out on the ground to talk to people face-to-face and give locals an opportunity to share their views.

“The catchment suffers from highly variable rainfall and inefficient water storage which leaves the region extremely vulnerable, so we need to take the time to build a comprehensive business case to enable the NSW Government to shore up water security for the region.

“We have some strong options on the table including a new pipeline to connect existing resources, raising Lake Rowlands dam wall, building a new dam further downstream and looking at how the existing interregional pipeline between Orange and the Belubula Valley would operate.

“But before we can make any final decisions, we need to do the right checks and balances to ensure these infrastructure projects stack up both financially and environmentally.”