NSW govt throws additional $87m at drought
The NSW government says it will pump an additional $87 million into more than 30 water infrastructure projects as the state continues to battle drought.
The funding includes $15 million for transporting water to drought-ravaged regional towns and almost $30 million for capital projects, including feasibility studies for new pipelines in Nyngan and Cobar.
The announcement comes after the coalition on Monday held a "community cabinet" in the struggling northwest NSW town of Bourke.
A $2 million bore and pipeline in Bourke was announced on Monday to increase the town's long-term water supply, forming part of the $87 million in funding.
"The entire NSW cabinet has now seen firsthand the severe effects of the drought and as we look ahead at a dry summer, this funding of over $87 million for emergency water projects will help to keep our towns going strong," NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro said in a statement on Tuesday.
"These regional communities show resilience which is unparalleled, but they cannot take much more."
The NSW parliament earlier this month passed a temporary bill fast-tracking water infrastructure projects - including dams and pipelines - in towns with a critical water need for the next two years.
Developments set to be fast-tracked by up to nine months include the Burrendong Dam deep water storage project and the Chaffey Dam to Dungowan pipeline, the government says.
