Funding for Nabiac Plant to improve water security

Published on 10 June 2020

MidCoast Council has welcomed the announcement by Federal MP Dr David Gillespie of a $1.47m grant to increase capacity at the Nabiac Inland Aquifer system, further improving water security for the Manning – Great Lakes water supply system.

“Severe water restrictions were enforced late last year during one of the worst droughts ever experienced in our region, and Council undertook several actions to ensure we could continue to supply emergency water to our largest population, in Manning and the northern Great Lakes areas,” said Council’s Director of Infrastructure and Engineering Services, Rob Scott.

“We are very pleased that the Federal Government will partner with us to complete Stage Two of the Nabiac Inland Aquifer scheme, which will build more capacity for Manning and the northern Great Lakes should we experience another prolonged drought.”

The Nabiac Bore Field is an important element of Council’s response to drought conditions.

Stage Two started late last year, to lift the Nabiac scheme’s production to 12 million litres per day. At that time under the severe level four restrictions, the Nabiac plant was able to take some pressure off Bootawa Dam supplies until the drought ended.

“This grant allows us to now complete Stage Two, involving the duplication of most of the treatment process equipment. This will add six million litres per day to the plant’s overall capacity, taking it to a treatment capacity of at least 18 million litres per day.

The estimated total cost of Stage Two is around $6 million, with Council contributing the remainder of the cost. “This will place us in a much better position should we ever face such a crippling drought again,” said Mr Scott.

With the return of regular rainfall this year, Bootawa Dam has now been completely refilled.

“To see the dam full again is a great contrast to earlier this year and a reminder of how responsive our system is to rainfall and river conditions”.