AlburyCity, Corowa, Greater Hume and Urana Councils, have released a report outlining key infrastructure and education initiatives designed to assist the community overcome a future with less water.

The initiatives have been developed as part of the Federal Government's ‘Strengthening Basin Communities' (SBC) program. The program assists local governments and their communities to understand the implications of climate change on water availability and identify initiatives to secure future water supply. With $800,000 grant funding attracted to date, the next stage of the project will position each of the four Councils to seek further funding for infrastructure investment and program delivery from the $200 million available.

In developing the priority projects, the four Councils have sought feedback from a number of industry, tourism, agricultural and environmental organisations, with their input shaping many of the final project ideas.

The initiatives will assist a range of groups, from sporting clubs to major industry. There will be work done to expand the warm season grass program and improve water supply to playing fields and parks by collecting and storing rainwater. A program will also be developed to assist business and industry access expert advice on how to minimise water consumption and maximise water recycle and reuse opportunities.

Investigations will also take place into the feasibility of connecting some townships and growth areas across the four Councils onto mains water supply systems, making them less susceptible to reduced water supply in times of drought. Improvements to existing water supply infrastructure will also be designed and costed to ensure maximum water efficiency.

Councils will also develop or review their economic development strategies to ensure appropriate strategies are incorporated to enable sustainable growth in a future with less water. Opportunities to improve tourism related water infrastructure to ensure continued visitor and community access in times of drought will also be identified, designed and costed.

The Community Report and Synthesis Report provide an overall summary of the study and recommendations. These documents can be viewed via the link below, along with the full Stage 1 & Stage 2 reports.

Copies of these documents are also available for viewing at the Council's offices in Corowa, Howlong and Mulwala.

The next stage of the SBC program will see the four Councils develop detailed designs, project costing and roll-out plans for the initiatives. They will continue to work with the Australian Government to ensure that the projects identified are delivered at no cost to the community or complement works already planned.

For further information about the SBC program contact the SBC Project Manager, David Hicks, on 0419 251 036.

Community Report (557 KB)

Overall Summary - Stage 1 & 2 Synthesis Report (1396 KB)

Full Stage 1 Report (6571 KB)

Full Stage 2 Report (2436 KB)