Work begins on new water project to support Cobar

Construction has started on a major water infrastructure project in western New South Wales – the Nyngan to Cobar Pipeline Stage 1. This project is a big step toward making sure towns in western NSW have safe and reliable water.

Cobar is currently one of the only towns in NSW without its own water source. The region depends on water pumped from Nyngan through a 130-kilometre pipeline.

An aerial view of the pump station in Hermidale, showing the supporting infrastructure and nearby solar panels and arid bushland.
Aerial view of the current Hermidale pump station.
Image credit: NSW Government.

Two new pump stations will be built—one in Nyngan and one in Hermidale. Replacing the old, unreliable pumps will help avoid serious system problems and keep water flowing to the area.

The new pump stations:

  • use modern technology
  • will be safer and easier to manage
  • are forecast to safeguard the system for 50 years and
  • provide long-term peace of mind for locals.

The project is expected to be completed in mid-2027.

The $49 million project is jointly funded by the Australian and NSW Governments. Australian Government funding is provided through the National Water Grid Fund.

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