Residents across Port Macquarie-Hastings are set to benefit from a major investment in local water infrastructure, with the NSW Government committing $7 million to help unlock more than 5,300 new homes in the region.
The funding, delivered through the Low Cost Loans Initiative, will go towards the construction of a new $152 million water treatment plant at Cowarra — a project aimed at ensuring households have reliable access to clean, filtered drinking water as the population grows.
Once complete, the plant will service communities including Sancrox, Thrumster, Port Macquarie, Lake Cathie, Bonny Hills and the Camden Haven, supporting both existing residents and new developments.
The project has been declared State Significant Infrastructure, underlining its importance to the region’s long-term water security and liveability.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said the investment was about supporting communities as they expand.
“We’re helping councils bring forward more new homes by cutting borrowing costs and accelerating the delivery of infrastructure that communities rely on.
“By investing in the infrastructure that growing communities need, we’re creating more opportunities for people to live and work in regional NSW.
“We’re working with councils to support sustainable growth and to give regional communities the confidence to plan for the future.”
The Cowarra plant is expected to improve both the quality and reliability of drinking water, a key concern for fast-growing regional areas.
Labor MLC Cameron Murphy said the funding would help ensure growth is properly supported.
“As Port Macquarie-Hastings continues to grow, councils need the right foundations in place. This funding helps deliver the essential infrastructure that supports new housing and strong, well-planned communities.
“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.”
Port Macquarie-Hastings Mayor Adam Roberts said the project would play a central role in meeting the needs of a rapidly expanding population.
“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.
“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.”
Under the Low Cost Loans Initiative, the NSW Government covers 50 per cent of interest costs on eligible loans, helping councils deliver critical infrastructure sooner. The program has now supported $792 million worth of projects across the state.
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