GOSFORD COUNCIL WELCOMES NEW DAM BUT URGES EVERYONE REMAIN COMMITTED TO USING LESS WATER  

Gosford City Council is calling on the Central Coast community, in the short term, not to see the State Government's announcement about the construction of a new dam and other supporting capital works as a reason to ease up on using the region's water resources wisely.

Gosford City Council Mayor, Laurie Maher, said that while he and his fellow Councillors welcomed the State Government's announcement, which would provide a major shot in the arm for water supplies in the region over the next 60 years, it was important for people to understand this was a long-tem solution that would not generate any additional water in the region in the immediate future.

'The construction of the new dam at Tillegra together with all the other capital works is important news for the Central Coast and we congratulate the State Government on their commitment to invest more than $342 million,' he said.

'The new dam and supporting capital works will provide an important boost to the long-term solutions that we and Wyong Shire Council will implement as part of WaterPlan 2050. Once complete, this Plan will provide the blueprint for helping secure the Central Coast's water supplies long into the future.

'The State Government has this week stepped up to the mark by making it clear what they're prepared to do to help the two Councils but major projects such as a new dam take a considerable amount of time to complete. In the meantime we must all remain focused on dealing with the here and now.'

'It was also good to see in the State Government's announcement that it supports water recycling as an integrated part of a modern water supply system. Not only is water recycling environmentally friendly but it's also a non-climate dependent source of water which enables you to future proof a proportion of your water resources against any future droughts,' said Laurie Maher.

'In terms of today's overall announcement, any money that's forthcoming from the State and Federal Governments, to help us overcome the current water situation, is always welcome. Indeed we'd like to see more forthcoming in the short term, particularly to help us achieve our water recycling objectives.'

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Media contact:            Janet Saunders - 02 4304 7075 or 0438 191 328