Joint media release: $2.6 million to boost water security at Lightning Ridge

Minister for Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek
NSW Minister for Water, Rose Jackson

Lightning Ridge will benefit from greater water security thanks to a $2.6 million investment from the Albanese and Minns Labor Governments to deliver a new 5.1 km pipeline, upgraded booster pumps and high-tech monitoring equipment to improve the reliability of the town’s water supply.

Water in Lightning Ridge is normally sourced from two bores located 5 kilometres apart, but since 2023 the town has been reduced to a single operational bore after infrastructure at one site failed due to age, corrosion and extensive weather damage.

The original pipeline which transferred water from one bore into town had to be taken offline last year after it showed significant signs of rusting and water loss, putting local water quality at risk.

Since then, the remote community’s water supply has been under immense pressure, prompting state and federal Governments to fast-track funding for infrastructure upgrades to reinstate the bore.

Once completed, the project will boost water reliability and add an extra 407 megalitres of water into the system, ensuring Lightning Ridge’s residents, businesses and public facilities continue to have access to safe and secure water.

The work will also save Walgett Shire Council hundreds of thousands of dollars in unscheduled maintenance costs, which had started to accumulate after the pipeline and pumps were damaged by floodwater in 2022 and 2023, requiring ongoing monthly repairs.  

Lightning Ridge is the largest town in the Walgett Shire area and is home to 1,946 residents, with 25 per cent of the population identifying as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.

The project is funded by the Australian Government, through its National Water Grid Fund, in partnership with the NSW Government, with each contributing $1.3 million.

The Australian Government investment forms part of its $150 million commitment to support water infrastructure in First Nations communities in regional and remote Australia.

Work will begin on the project in early 2025 and is expected to take at least 12 months to complete.

Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek:

“About 600,000 Australians live in places without access to clean drinking water and many need to boil their water for safe consumption. That’s not good enough.

“That’s why we are investing in critical water infrastructure upgrades in rural and remote locations like Lightning Ridge.

“These projects are providing a real difference for communities – improving resident health and wellbeing and boosting the local economy.”

Quotes attributable to the NSW Minister for Water, Rose Jackson:

“It is unacceptable in 2024 that any water network in NSW should be at risk of failure, which is why we have been working proactively with the Australian Government to get this funding over the line.

“Lightning Ridge is one of the most remote and driest locations in the state, so it is a non-negotiable they should have the right infrastructure to safeguard their water supply.

“The town is home to a significant local Aboriginal and mining community, as well as being a popular destination for tens of thousands of tourists to visit every year.

“This investment will ensure everyone has greater access to water to keep up with demand and prevent any impacts to essential services, including the local school, hospital and fire station.”

Quotes attributable to NSW Member for Barwon, Roy Butler:

“I have been advocating strongly for funding to build new water infrastructure for Lightning Ridge, so it’s great news for the community that this project has now been given the green tick.

“More than 80,000 tourists, visitors and itinerant workers come to Lightning Ridge every year which is why it’s critical the town has access to both bores to meet the needs of all water users, particularly during the hotter months.

“The pumps at Bore 2 are working flat out, 18 hours a day, to meet the current water demands and it is crucial we have Bore 1 back in the mix to ensure there’s enough supply to lean on.”