Funding Boost For North Shore Sewerage Scheme Project

Wednesday, 31 October 2007

The construction of a new $5 million sewerage network to service residents living on the North Shore is expected to commence in the next financial year.

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council will start the North Shore stage of its Six Village Sewerage Scheme project next year, with the help of funding provided by the State Government under its Country Towns Water Supply and Sewerage Program.

Under the program, the government now provides technical and financial assistance toward construction costs of schemes to assist local water utilities manage their water and sewerage businesses and provide services to 'backlog' areas.

Other areas to benefit from the provision of new sewerage services include Comboyne, Herons Creek, Telegraph Point, Beechwood and Long Flat.

Council's Sewerage Manager Jeffery Sharp said the funding commitment by the State Government, following a promise prior to the last State election, was good news for the North Shore project, and the overall Village Sewerage Scheme strategy.

Council will invest an estimated $5 million in the North Shore Sewerage Scheme alone, which will provide residents along Shoreline Drive and the North Shore services to replace failing septic systems and reduce possible environmental concerns.

"It is a part of Council's overall enhancement program and desire to provide a better quality of service to its small villages. In this case, it has come on the back of environmental concerns we've shared with residents for some time about the efficiency of their septic systems," Mr Sharp said.