Wilcannia Water Security and Quality

The Wilcannia Water Treatment Plant is progressing well with shovels expected to hit the ground in the second half of 2025.

The plant is designed to treat 1.2 ML per day and replaces existing infrastructure built in the 1970s.

It is one of three water treatment plants being delivered in the Far West thanks to a major $21.5 million investment from the Australian and NSW Governments to boost water security and quality for communities in Wilcannia, White Cliffs and Ivanhoe.

The project is jointly funded by the Australian Government ($10 million) and the New South Wales Government ($11.5 million). Australian Government funding is provided through the National Water Grid Fund.

A tender was awarded to SNG Engineering Pty Ltd to build the new Wilcannia water treatment plant which is expected to have shovels in the ground by July 2025.

The NSW Government is currently investigating an additional emergency groundwater bore for Wilcannia, including new pipeline connection to the Water Treatment Plant. The bore will be used in severe drought, ensuring a reliable backup water supply should there be water quality or pipeline issues.

Following groundwater imaging  completed in October 2024, 2 sites have been identified for further investigation. Both sites are located within the Wilcannia Golf Course.

An Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment was recommended following the completion of a due diligence assessment in April 2024. The assessment has progressed with test excavations completed in November 2025. 

The Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment will confirm next steps and whether further approvals will be needed.

Once the assessment and environmental approvals are complete, test bores will be drilled in these areas to determine the water flow rate and quality. 

The intention is to convert one of the test bores to a production bore. We have been working closely with key stakeholders including First Nations, local council, community and landholders on the location and proposals for drilling test bores.

This project is funded separately to the Wilcannia Weir Replacement Project.

Proposed sites for test drilling, for new emergency groundwater bore

Groundwater bore project timeline

2025        

• Seek approval from landowners, operators and proposed asset owner for proposed bore locations
• Complete Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment report

Early 2026

• Complete any outstanding Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment issues and any related activities
• Confirm environmental approvals
• Continued liaison with  landowners, operators and proposed asset owner for proposed bore locations
• Continue procurement and licensing tasks
• Drill test bores and test water quality and water rates

Mid 2026

• Convert the most suitable test bore to a production bore and finalise reticulation back to the water treatment plant
• Finalise licensing for the production bore and prepare for bore handover to Central Darling Shire Council

Proposed weir - on hold

The proposed weir is a fixed crest type, and the crest height will be approximately 4.2m with the highest points on the outer edges being approximately 5.5 metres.

It will provide an additional 400 ML of water security for the town. This will boost water storage by 20 percent and is a significant step change in water security for Wilcannia. The new weir design has been developed to allow for future modification if required, including being raised, subject to additional funding being sourced and planning approvals being granted.

Unlike the old weir, the new design includes a fishway allowing fish to migrate upstream past the weir. It will be a vertical-slot type fishway and will be constructed next to the northern bank of the river.

The new design improves water security for Wilcannia while also being safer and more affordable, with less impact on the environment and culturally significant sites.

The decision to move to a new design was shaped by the responses to the Environmental Impact Statement public exhibition in 2022, and extensive stakeholder consultation and feedback since scoping studies for the new weir began in 2016. The Environmental Impact Statement documents are available on the NSW Planning Portal website.

The NSW Government has an ongoing commitment to local employment into the construction phase of the project and to date has invested $4.63 million in the community through training programs, local procurement and cross-agency support.

Weir and fishway detailed concept design (aerial view).

Upgrades to the Hood and Martin Street sewage pump stations were complete early 2024 to better protect the beautiful Darling Baaka River.

The stormwater mitigation works are a key piece of the integrated, system-wide approach for Wilcannia’s water security and wastewater management, delivering a low-maintenance, affordable and reliable solution to protect against effluent overflows in the event of a power failure or blockage.

New pipework and two new high-powered diesel pumps are installed that will automatically spring into action if the underground effluent reaches a high level.

This prevents untreated waste from entering the stormwater system and eventually seeping into the river.