Bingara will have its new water treatment plant in operation by March 2010, according to Member for Northern Tablelands, Richard Torbay.
He said Minister for Water Phil Costa had confirmed the government would fund 67 per cent of the tender price, following a meeting with a delegation from Gwydir Council including Mayor Bob Tremain, Deputy David Rose and General Manager Max Eastcott at Parliament House last week.
"When he was Water Minister Premier Rees made a commitment and it is good to see the new Minister is honouring that," Mr Torbay said.
"Bingara has a clear need for this plant, not only because of some pollution from old mines in the area but because a community of 1200 people is entitled to the best quality water supply.
"Council could not afford to contribute 50 per cent as is usually required with this type of funding but there are special considerations in this case and the government has responded positively to them.
"I have been pleased to work with the Council and the community on this project and it’s great to see that it can now move ahead."
"The urgent need for a filtration plant at Bingara came to a head in 2006 when traces of arsenic from old silver, gold and arsenic mines were found in the water supply," Mr Torbay said.
"Bingara’s water has always been pumped from the Gwydir River which at times carries the pollution from the abandoned mines upstream."
An assessment of the level of filtration needed has been completed and with the funding approval Council will call for tenders early in the new year.
The new plant is expected to be in operation by the end of the first quarter in 2010.
Gwydir delegation in Sydney –Gwydir Deputy Mayor Cr David Rose, Mayor Cr Bob Tremain, Member for Northern Tablelands Richard Torbay, Christine Robertson MLC and Gwydir General Manager Max Eastcott who met with Water Minister Phil Costa in Sydney.
