Legacy Infrastructure Fund Announcement
Published on 15 April 2025
The Warrumbungle Shire is set to benefit from a substantial funding boost, with the NSW Government confirming on Friday 11 April, that the Warrumbungle Shires’ applications to the Legacy Infrastructure Fund had been successful.
The NSW Government has committed a total of $45 million toward the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) Legacy Infrastructure Fund, with just over $11 million granted to the Warrumbungle Shire. This funding is aimed at the provision of funds for infrastructure projects that will deliver long term and legacy benefits for local communities within the Central West Orana REZ.
Key Projects confirmed for the Warrumbungle Shire include:
- Dunedoo Sewerage Treatment Plant Upgrades and refurbishment. Aimed at providing Dunedoo residents with access to a sustainable sewerage scheme, improve quality and consistency of treatment prior to discharge to the Talbragar River and reduced environmental contamination by reducing contaminant risk and odour.
- Dunedoo Water Supply Scheme groundwater source exploration and new borehole infrastructure augmentation for water quality improvement. To benefit those residents connected to the Dunedoo Water Supply scheme by providing an alternative drinking water source with improved quality and reduced contaminant risk.
- Coolah water supply scheme groundwater source exploration and new borehole augmentation for water quality improvement. The proposed works will reduce contamination pathways for pathogens in drinking water, improve the taste and the quality of that available.
- Dunedoo Sullivan Street Independent Living Project to provide much needed assisted living housing for the community of Dunedoo.
- Coolah Sewerage treatment plant remediation, flood protection works and establishment of new off-site treated effluent storage. Aimed at benefiting residents connected to the Coolah Sewage Treatment plant, these upgrades will eliminate facility flood inundation, reduce the potential environmental contamination of Coolaburragundy River and increase wet weather treated effluent storage. It has the potential for 100% treated effluent reuse for beneficial agricultural purposes.
Under the Local Community Fund portion of these grants, Warrumbungle Shire will also be working to help facilitate upgrades to Bowen Oval, providing key community infrastructure in Coolah’s McMaster park and upgrading existing play equipment and adding a sensory garden to Milling Park in Dunedoo.
Mayor Kathryn Rindfleish welcomed the funding saying it would be a transformative opportunity for our Shire and beyond, with Dubbo, Dunedoo, Gilgandra, Gulgong, Mudgee and Wellington all receiving benefits from this announcement. Through enabling improvements in our water and waste infrastructure, the water quality, contaminant reduction and accessibility for those citizens in these areas of the shire will improve.
‘This funding will enhance the quality of life, ensure that our environmental risks are lowered and keep our communities thriving. We’re excited to get started and deliver these upgrades for our community’ Mayor Rindfleish said.
The funding announcement follows extensive community consultations to ensure that the projects align with the needs and priorities of residents in the Shire. Council will work closely with the community throughout the planning and delivery phases to maximise the benefits expected by these programs.
20250415-DRAFT-Media-Release_Legacy-Infrastructure-Fund-Announcement.pdf(PDF, 213KB)