The village of Tabulam, west of Casino, is on the path to securing its first ever drinking water supply network, thanks to a $400,000 investment from Kyogle Council and the Australian government’s National Water Grid Fund.
The co-funding will launch early planning work for a three-stage construction project which will help lock in a safe, clean, and reliable supply for the community of 500 people, more than a quarter of whom are Aboriginal.
The preliminary business case builds on a 2021 scoping study, funded by the NSW government, which thoroughly investigated a range of infrastructure options to find the best solutions.
What’s next
The new funding will go one step further delivering in-depth analysis and detailed design work for:
- Stage 1: hydrogeological investigations, bore construction, and land acquisition for a water treatment plant and reservoir.
- Stage 2: utilising Hall Bore as a raw water source, constructing a new reservoir, and connecting the supply network to homes in the village.
- Stage 3: Expanding the village’s water supply source to Clarence River groundwater and upgrading the treatment plant to accommodate future population growth.
Without a dedicated supply, Tabulam residents have had to rely solely on rainwater tanks for drinking and household water use.
A lack of critical water infrastructure has also held back the local economy, hindering population growth with the village, located halfway between Tenterfield and Casino, losing about 20 per cent of its residents since 2011.
Together with a new town sewerage system which is also in the early planning phase, the project is designed to meet the community’s water needs for decades to come. The preliminary business case is due to be completed in mid to late 2025.
NSW DCCEEW Executive Director Infrastructure Development Lisa Hingerty said, ‘Every person in NSW deserves clean and reliable drinking water, whether you’re from Sydney or live in one of our most remote communities, which is why this project will be a game changer for the hundreds of people who call Tabulam home.
‘Locals have been crying out for this essential infrastructure for decades,’ she said. ‘The funding is a significant step towards giving the village access to treated drinking water delivered directly to their homes.
‘I’m pleased to see this critical work progressing to a preliminary business case to bring Tabulam’s water supply network into the 21st century.’
Landmark project
Kyogle Council Mayor Danielle Mulholland said, ‘This is a landmark project for our community, over 70 years in the making, and these early planning works are a big tick.
‘They’ll set Tabulam on the path towards receiving its first ever secure water supply network and its huge benefits, from improving health and wellbeing in the village to boosting the economy and supporting new growth and development.
‘Council will continue to work closely with the NSW and Australian governments to kick this important work into high gear as we move closer to delivering vital upgrades to the people of Tabulam.’
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