A $7 million funding boost from the NSW Government is set to support the delivery of more than 5,300 new homes in the Port Macquarie-Hastings region, by helping bring forward critical water infrastructure.
The funding, delivered through the Low Cost Loans Initiative, will assist Port Macquarie-Hastings Council with the construction of a new $152 million water treatment plant at Cowarra.
The project has been declared State Significant Infrastructure, reflecting its importance in securing long-term water supply for a fast-growing region.
Once complete, the Cowarra Water Treatment Plant will supply filtered drinking water to Sancrox, Thrumster, Port Macquarie, Lake Cathie, Bonny Hills and the Camden Haven, supporting both existing communities and future development.
NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said the funding would help councils accelerate housing delivery.
“We’re helping councils bring forward more new homes by cutting borrowing costs and accelerating the delivery of infrastructure that communities rely on,” he said.
“By investing in the infrastructure that growing communities need, we’re creating more opportunities for people to live and work in regional NSW.”
The Low Cost Loans Initiative allows councils to access cheaper financing, with the NSW Government covering 50 per cent of interest costs on eligible loans.
The program is open to 95 regional councils and is designed to unlock infrastructure projects that might otherwise be delayed due to cost pressures.
NSW MLC Cameron Murphy said projects like Cowarra were critical to supporting regional growth.
“As Port Macquarie-Hastings continues to grow, councils need the right foundations in place,” he said.
“By backing projects like the Cowarra Water Treatment Plant, we’re investing in the services that make the region a great place to live and work, now and into the future.”
Mayor of Port Macquarie-Hastings Adam Roberts said the project would play a central role in meeting future demand.
“This is great news for the Port Macquarie Hastings region. As we continue to grow rapidly, with an expected population of more than 100,000 by 2035, expanding key infrastructure such as the Cowarra Water Treatment Plant is vital for our long-term water security,” he said.
“The Cowarra Water Treatment Plant will become the largest infrastructure investment ever undertaken by Council, forming a key component of a multi million-dollar investment in water and sewer infrastructure planned across the region over the next 10 years.”
The latest funding round brings total NSW Government investment in the Low Cost Loans Initiative to $31.3 million, supporting $792 million worth of infrastructure projects across the state.
The government says the program is part of a broader effort to address housing supply by ensuring essential infrastructure keeps pace with population growth.
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