Parkes Shire Council Celebrates Completion Of Water Security Upgrades
Published on 28 April 2025
Parkes Shire Council (PSC) is pleased to announce the successful completion of Stage 1 of the Lachlan River Water Supply Duplication Project, marking a significant milestone in securing Parkes' long-term water supply. These upgrades form a critical part of the broader Parkes Water Security Program, proactively addressing the town's increasing water demands while enhancing infrastructure resilience.
With a combined investment exceeding $13 million, these upgrades were jointly funded by Parkes Shire Council (more than $7 million) and the Australian Government ($6 million).
The upgrades significantly enhance Parkes' water infrastructure, improving both its capacity and efficiency. A key component of the project is the construction of a new Raw Water Storage Lagoon (RWSL), which has increased the Parkes Water Treatment Plant's storage capacity by more than 20 megalitres. When full, the RWSL provides 24-hours of additional raw water supply, reinforcing Parkes' resilience during droughts, emergencies or utility outages. The RWSL also allows Council to use associated raw water pumping infrastructure with greater operational flexibility, such as pumping raw water under solar power and during off-peak power tariff periods.
Further enhancing the town's water security, upgrades to the Lachlan River Pump Station have significantly boosted the volume of water that can be transferred from the Lachlan River to Parkes. Additionally, the construction of a 1km pipeline connecting the Lachlan River Precinct to the pump station site completes the initial phase of a planned 40km pipeline, which will improve water transfer capacity.
In line with PSC's sustainability objectives, a solar array and battery system have been installed. These systems reduce the energy costs and carbon emissions required to power the transfer of raw water.
Mayor of Parkes Shire, Cr Neil Westcott, emphasised the positive impact of these developments.
"This suite of projects represents a critical investment in the future of Parkes. By enhancing our water infrastructure, we're ensuring that our residents, businesses, and industries have the reliable resources they need to thrive. It's a game-changer for local and regional development in the Central West."
These strategic upgrades will help ensure Parkes can meet both present and future demands for domestic supply, along with supporting key industries such as Evolution Mining Northparkes Operations and the Parkes Special Activation Precinct (Parkes Precinct). The Parkes Precinct is expected to stimulate business activity, bolster economic development and result in the substantial creation of new jobs.
General Manager of Parkes Shire Council, Kent Boyd, highlighted the broader community benefits.
"These now-complete water security upgrades are transformative for Parkes Shire. These upgrades address immediate water demands and lay the foundation for sustainable growth, supporting industrial expansion and strengthening our community's resilience to water security challenges."
The impact of these upgrades will extend beyond Parkes, fostering regional economic integration and responsible water management.
Parkes Shire Council's Director of Infrastructure and Sustainability, Andrew Francis, underscored the importance of innovation in responsible water management.
"From increasing water storage by 20 megalitres to integrating sustainable solar-powered features, this initiative exemplifies forward-thinking water management. These upgrades contribute towards securing Parkes water future, enabling us to meet growing demands while minimising environmental impacts."
The completion of these upgrades paves the way for the next stage of the Parkes Water Security Program, which includes an additional bore and raw river water pre-treatment plant. These shovel-ready projects will further enhance Parkes' water security.
Aligned with the NSW Government's Lachlan Regional Water Strategy and Parkes' Community Strategic Plan, these projects support sustainable growth and enhanced resilience for Parkes and the surrounding region.