Councils launch Action Plan to secure water and sewerage services for regional NSW
The peak body for NSW councils has today warned that without urgent action the delivery of safe, reliable and affordable water services to nearly 2 million people across the state could be put at risk.
Local Government NSW and the state’s Water Directorate have launched a 6 point Regional Water Action Plan which aims to strengthen water security, renew ageing infrastructure and support the Local Water Utilities that almost two million people in NSW rely upon.
LGNSW President Mayor Darcy Byrne said without urgent action NSW risked facing a widespread crisis.
“Access to clean, safe and reliable water is not just an essential service – it’s a basic human right,” said Mayor Byrne. “Every person in NSW regardless of their postcode should be able to turn on the tap and access safe, clean water.
“It’s not an optional extra – it underpins public health, housing, jobs, education, agriculture and every part of life in regional NSW.
“Too many councils are being asked to maintain ageing infrastructure and absorb growing costs without the long-term funding certainty they need.
“Just a few months ago the NSW Auditor-General found that almost $1 billion is urgently needed to keep water infrastructure operational. Broader sector estimates put priority investment needs at about $5 billion.
“Councils in regional communities simply cannot do this alone and shouldn’t be expected to,” said Mayor Byrne.
The Executive Officer of the NSW Water Directorate Mr Brendan Guiney said the plan was the result of the joint work they do with LGNSW to advocate for the needs of member local water utilities right across regional NSW and the communities they serve.
“Addressing current risks, and planning for the future of our water supply and wastewater services is a shared responsibility with the State Government,” said Mr Guiney.
“Funding and collaboration between all levels of government, Commonwealth, State and Local is vital to regional NSW through the provision of sustainable and affordable water and wastewater services”.
The Regional Water Action Plan was launched with the support of local Mayors.
MidCoast Council Mayor and Water Directorate Committee Executive Cr Claire Pontin said the action plan reflected a shared purpose of the two groups.
“This advocacy from LGNSW and the Water Directorate will ensure that we can speak with one voice when it comes to securing our water supply” said Mayor Pontin.
“Communities across rural, regional and remote NSW will benefit significantly from this much needed attention and action.”
Cr Sharon Cadwallader, Mayor of Ballina Shire, who hosted this week’s LGNSW Water Management Conference, said the action plan was about equitable access and collaboration.
“Regional and rural communities deserve a water and sewerage system that is safe, reliable, sustainable, and fit for the future,” said Mayor Cadwallader.
“This six-point plan recognises that achieving this requires more than just building infrastructure — it requires long-term investment, sensible regulation, a skilled workforce, and stronger collaboration between local water utilities.”
“Councils in the bush are really hurting. They are doing an incredible job under trying circumstances and I call on the State Government to jump on board with this plan to support them in delivering this vital service to their communities.
The “Securing our Water Supply” Action plan calls on the NSW State Government to partner with LGNSW and the Water Directorate to:
- Provide capital grant funding of $5 billion for LWUs for at least a further 10 years;
- Strengthen drinking water quality in rural, regional and remote NSW including support for LWUs to address emerging contaminants such as PFAS;
- Reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens on LWUs in rural, regional and remote NSW including the NSW Regulatory and Assurance Framework, water utility strategic planning and Section 60 approvals;
- Implement a complementary Community Service Obligation model for better targeted, more efficient and predictable funding for councils that cannot raise sufficient revenue to meet the costs of running their water and sewerage systems;
- Commit $4 million per annum to a Local Water Utilities Alliance program, enabling utilities to share expertise, access specialist skills, coordinate planning and to respond more effectively to droughts, emergencies and asset management challenges;
- Commit to a $15 million, 10-year Regional Water Workforce Development Program to build a skilled and sustainable regional water workforce and allocate $2.5 million over 5 years to create dedicated career pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Download the “Securing our Water Supply” policy document here.
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