WORKING to improve an infrastructure backlog was one of the reasons behind a recent decision from Leeton Shire Council.
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Council has endorsed the temporary transfer of excess water held in the Leeton town water accounts each year.
This initiative was given the green light at the ordinary January meeting, with all councillors voting for it to go ahead.
Director of corporate services Duncan McWhirter said there were some basic conditions council would need to be adhere to when temporarily trading town water supply licences.
“Council will take a conservative approach to the trading of water to ensure that residential and commercial water supply needs remain the primary priority before any trading is considered,” he said.
“To achieve this the annual allocation of town water by the NSW Office of Water needs to reach a minimum of 80 per cent allocation prior to any trade occurring plus a further buffer of 500 megalitres will always be maintained to ensure supply to residents and businesses is never compromised.”
The decision will help generate extra revenue for council.
It will allow the chance to inject this where it is needed to fix the current infrastructure backlog.
The decision was welcomed by mayor Paul Maytom.
“Council is very pleased to be able to offer this allocation to (Leeton shire) irrigators and industry who form an integral part of Leeton shire’s commercial industry sector,” councillor Maytom said. “This is crucial as we work towards savings objectives outlined in our Fit for the Future improvement plan.”
Drought years will be monitored to ensure water is maintained for the community as a number one priority.
If the 2008 drought year was to be repeated, where council was only allocated 50 per cent of town water, no trade of would occur.
The income that council may generate from the transfer of town water is dependent on the seasonal market. Council is expecting an estimated return of $190,000 based on the potential this financial year to sell an estimated 950 megalitres.
Council will take a conservative approach to the trading of water to ensure that residential and commercial water supply needs remain the primary priority before any trading is considered.
- Mayor Paul Maytom