More than half a billion dollars will be invested in delivering new water infrastructure projects for regional communities through the Federal Government’s National Water Infrastructure Development Fund.
Funding will go towards assisting state and territory governments identify and co-fund the construction of a new water infrastructure projects in regional Australia.
The Fund’s expansion to more than $1 billion along with the existing National Water Infrastructure Loan Facility program means there is more than $3 billion of federal funding available to build new water infrastructure.
Expanded funding includes $2 million for a feasibility study to assess options to build new water infrastructure in North and South Burnett regions of Queensland, $1 million to co-fund the completion of the regulatory approval processes required for the Southern Forest Irrigation Scheme in WA and $250,000 to co-fund the Coldstream recycled Water Pipeline in Victoria.
Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the move will turbocharge the construction of water infrastructure in regional Australia.
“This funding pipeline represents the single biggest commitment to investment for building water infrastructure across the nation,” Mr McCormack said
“Access to secure and affordable water is critical to the lives of many Australians in regional areas and investment in water infrastructure is vital to keep Australia thriving, especially during tough times of extended drought.
“This is not just about storing water in times when it is dry, it is also about protecting communities through flood mitigation in times when it is incredibly wet,” he said.
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