Parkes Water Security Program

  • Project typeGrant funded with co-contribution by Parkes Shire Council.
  • Project value$65 Million
  • Project scheduleUnder Construction

The Parkes Shire's water supply network is ageing - parts of our water supply pipework are leaking and many of our bores are over 50 years old. This affects our ability to efficiently extract, treat, pump, store and supply water. Currently, we can only supply around 70% of our total water capacity. Climate change forecasts predict that rainfall will decline, while severe fires and extreme weather events are likely to increase, affecting demand for water in a changing climate. Additionally, the Parkes Shire region is expected to see residential and industrial growth as a result of the development of the Special Activation Precinct.

Parkes Shire Council is committed to investing in a sustainable water future. From mid- 2022 onwards, we have been working to upgrade existing water infrastructure and adding additional water supply assets to preserve, protect and sustainably manage our key water sources.

The project is fully funded and will not impact water rates and charges.

The Parkes Water Security Program involves a package of construction projects to ensure Parkes Shire has a reliable water supply to meet forecasted demand.

Bore Refurbishments and Construction of a New Bore

The refurbishment of existing Bores 1, 3, 4 and 5 included a full upgrade of electrical, telemetry and piping, ensuring the longevity of each bore site and the reliable supply of water long-term. The installation of emergency generator connection points will allow the bore pump to continue operating in the event of planned or unplanned power outages.

The old Parkes Bore 2, having been out of service for several years, was in a state of disrepair, but has now successfully been converted to a monitoring bore. In March 2024, Council completed the construction of the new Bore 2, with flow rates far exceeding expectations. This will serve to secure a steady water supply for the Parkes Shire region well into the future.

Borefield Refurbs
CDR - Bore Refurbishments LRD.JPG
Bore-Pipeline-Refurb
PWSP Bore 3
Bore 2 pipework
Bore 2 Drone

A Review of Environmental Factors(PDF, 13MB)  was carried out to assess any potential environmental impacts associated with these works, and to identify mitigation measures.

Raw Water Storage Lagoon

The construction of a raw water storage lagoon (RWSL) will create crucial additional storage to assist in water supply to the Parkes Water Treatment Plant (WTP).

Located to the north of the WTP, on Council-owned land, the lagoon will store and supply raw water that has been pre-treated at the new pre-treatment facility adjacent to the Lachlan River and pumped through the new pipeline network to the WTP site.

The proposed RWSL will have positive socio-economic benefits for the Parkes Shire community through the provision of improved water supply infrastructure, with an additional 20 megalitres of raw water to be used in times of drought, emergencies, or equipment failure.

Works associated with the construction of the new Raw Water Storage Lagoon include bulk earthwork, the construction of embankments and associated stormwater diversion channels, the installation of a lagoon liner system and the establishment of permanent fencing around the lagoon.

RWSL Location

A Review of Environmental Factors(PDF, 30MB)  was carried out to assess any potential environmental impacts associated with these works, and to identify mitigation measures.

Lachlan River Pump Station Augmentation

The works for the Lachlan River Pump Station (LRPS) Augmentation include:

  • The replacement of the existing LRPS intake screen to provide a higher inlet capacity,
  • The removal of two existing pumps, and installation of three replacement pumps,
  • The installation of new pipes, valves, rising main, and electrical cabling to support the additional pump, and
  • The augmentation of the above ground power line.

Lachlan River Pre-Treatment Plant

The Lachlan River Pre-Treatment Plant (LRPTP) will be located on Council-owned land, approximately 12km east of the township of Forbes on The Escort Way in the Forbes Local Government Area. 

The new LRPTP will allow Council to pre-treat raw water from the Lachlan River before being transferred to the Water Treatment Plant in Parkes.

The pre-treatment process will reduce water turbidity and remove suspended impurities and solids from the raw water. The construction of two sediment lagoons will provide additional water treatment capacity.

LRPTP.png

A Review of Environmental Factors(PDF, 8MB)  was carried out to assess any potential environmental impacts associated with this project. An Addendum(PDF, 18MB)  was also prepared to supplement this review. 

New Pump Stations

Two new pump stations, one on Eugowra Road and the other on Akuna Road.

Benefits

  • The new pump station at Eugowra Road will receive raw water from the Parkes Shire bores
  • The Lachlan River Pump Station will treat the water and pump it to the Akuna Road Pump Station.
  • Akuna Road Pump Station will receive raw water from the Eugowra Road pump station
  • Pump stations will increase our raw water extraction within our current water supply entitlement

New Akuna Road Pump Station.jpeg New Eugowra Road Pump Station.jpeg

Lachlan Pipeline Duplication

Duplication of 35km of raw water transfer pipeline from Eugowra Road Pump Station to the Parkes Water Treatment Plant.

Benefits

  • Duplication of existing pipelines to improve water quality and quantity
  • Efficiently transport water to meet future water demand for growing townships
  • Reduces water lost to leaking pipes and ageing water supply infrastructure

Parkes Water Security Program Overview.jpeg

Solar Energy Systems

Sustainable energy to power key water security assets.

Benefits

  • Solar energy systems provide sustainable energy to the new pump stations at Eugowra Road and Akuna Road
  • Reduces energy costs and provides operational flexibility and reliability
  • Sustainable energy offsets costs for the sediment ponds and water treatment plant at the Lachlan River
  • Water transfer in the off-peak electricity periods or during daylight hours
  • Reduces Council’s carbon footprint

New Eugowra Road Pump Station Solar System.jpeg

 

All projects will be designed and built to the required engineering standards and delivered and operated to the highest environmental and social standards.

Are you a local business?
  • If you are a local sub-contractor, register with the Tender link website for upcoming tenders.
  • If you are a local or regional services business, register your interest here.

 

Facts & Resources

IWCM Strategy(PDF, 2MB)

(PDF, 11MB)Review of Environmental Factors - Lachlan River Precinct Access Road Upgrade(PDF, 11MB)

Review of Environmental Factors - Lachlan River Precinct Construction Access(PDF, 11MB)

Review of Environmental Factors - The Escort Way Underbore(PDF, 11MB) 

Project Updates

November 2022 Update

January 2023 Update

Contact details

Bikash Paudel
Executive Manager Water
waterprojects@parkes.nsw.gov.au

Funding

Parkes Shire Council has secured funding worth approximately $65M from State and Federal Government sources, as well as accumulating our own reserves. This includes State Government funding from theSafe and Secure Water Program ($22M),Critical Drought Relief - Restart NSW Fund ($3.4M) andDepartment of Planning and Environment ($600k), and Federal Government funding from theBuilding Better Regions Fund ($6M) andRegional Recovery Partnerships ($5M).

 

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