"Water infrastructure is critical" is the argument our region's mayors and State MP are having to make as they call for it to be included in disaster recovery funding.
Member for Orange Philip Donato stood amongst pieces of broken pipeline as he - with regional mayors - asked the NSW Government to urgently fund repairs to Parkes' water supply and other water infrastructure destroyed in natural disasters.
It's a call backed by Cabonne Council, which has already paid for repairs to sewer infrastructure in the wake of the 2022 floods.
In Canowindra and Eugowra, as well as other Cabonne communities, sewer infrastructure managed by Cabonne Council and water infrastructure managed by Central Tablelands Water were damaged.
Faced with immediate risk to people's health, the council had no choice but to get those repairs made.
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"Due to human health concerns council did work quite quickly to get the system reinstated as quickly - as urgently - as possible and we covered the cost of those repairs in full," Deputy Mayor Jamie Jones said.
"For small regional councils like Cabonne, it places greater pressures on our financial situation.
"It isn't feasible for councils in regional areas to continue to have to find this funding for these emergency works for what we would say is essential infrastructure.
"That's let potholes we can fill, less footpaths we can put in, and other services that have to be looked at."
Cr Jones said Cabonne had made representations to State and Federal governments to recognise the cost they covered, and thanked Mr Donato for taking up the fight.
"We live in the 21st century and we have communities that need normal, functioning, water and sewer infrastructure: we would say it is vital," he said.
Mr Donato is the chair of the Central West Community Leaders Forum, whose charter is to direct federal and state government disaster funding through the NSW Reconstruction Authority to flood-impacted communities of the Central West following the November 2022 floods.
Mr Donato said it was identified that local government’s flood-damaged or destroyed critical water and sewer infrastructure did not fit any existing criteria of funding.
Eight kilometres of Parkes' water main from Lake Endeavour were significantly damaged in the 2022 Central West floods, while Lake Cargelligo was inundated with water, breaking the banks of its sediment ponds and damaging its sewerage treatment works.
Two and a half years on the pipes remain in the same state after floodwaters washed them away, leaving Parkes Shire Council with an enormous repair bill it is unable to cover.
Parkes Mayor Neil Westcott said because the infrastructure is considered a council asset it is not covered by natural disaster funding.
"We are not asking for special favours, our assets are no less destroyed than the Northern Rivers and theirs were fully funded by the NSW Government,” he said.
Mr Donato said he was extremely grateful to both state and federal governments for their rapid support and essential disaster funding so far delivered to help the region rebuild in the wake of this devastating natural disaster.
“The flood event of 14 November, 2022 ravaged communities across the Central West, causing unprecedented damage to property, including critical water infrastructure," he said.
“Unfortunately existing flood recovery funding measures have failed to incorporate the repair or replacement of critical water and sewer assets that were damaged or destroyed in the 2022 Central West flood event."
Mr Donato has met with Premier Chris Minns and key ministers, seeking allocation of funding for Parkes, Cabonne and Lachlan Shire Councils so they can undertake urgent repairs to provide fresh water to their communities.
He's also raised this issue on numerous occasions on the floor of NSW Parliament.
“Despite efforts I’ve made, along with those by representatives of affected local government areas of Cabonne Shire, Lachlan Shire and Parkes Shire – funding has yet to be allocated for the $20 million-plus in essential repairs," Mr Donato said.
"I’ve personally made a budget submission to NSW Treasury, seeking prioritising of electorate funding for these repairs.
“Our local councils are financially stretched and cannot foot this massive cost on top of their existing commitments – Parkes' critical water infrastructure damage bill is more than $20 million alone.
“The previous government committed $145 million in funding to repair critical water assets damaged in the Northern Rivers floods – an event which occurred earlier in the same year as the Central West flood.
"All we are asking for is equity of disaster recovery funding, for what is a vitally important asset for these country communities."
Lachlan Mayor John Medcalf OAM said they were very disappointed the damage to the Lake Cargelligo Sewerage System was not recognised as eligible to receive state government flood damage funding to keep the system operational and upgrade it to prevent further damage in the future.
“Lachlan Shire is unable to recoup adequate income from the ratepayers to carry out essential improvements,” he said.
