Work commences on $25 Million Southern Arm Trunk Main

Wednesday, 23 June 2010

Work on stage one of the $25 million southern arm trunk main water pipeline which will eventually transfer water directly from Cowarra Dam to Lake Cathie, Bonny Hills and Camden Haven, commenced today.

The first stage of the water supply pipeline will be constructed along Ocean Drive between Lake Cathie and Bonny Hills and will connect to the Bonny Hills Reservoir.

The speed limit will be reduced to 60kmh along the stretch of Ocean Drive between Miala Street Lake Cathie to south of Houston Mitchell Drive for approximately two months while Council lays the 450mm diameter main. The same speed restrictions will then be enforced between Houston Mitchell Drive and Bonny View Drive for the laying of the 750mm diameter main.

Council is funding stage one of the project with its $7.9 million State Government interest-free loan which has been granted to progress urban growth in regional areas of New South Wales.

Construction of this first stage will enable a secure water supply for up to 2500 new households in Area 14 at Bonny Hills

Director of Infrastructure Jeffery Sharp said the trunk main will increase the capacity of the existing water supply system and assist to improve drought security across the Port Macquarie-Hastings region.

"The Southern Arm Trunk Main is part of Council's adopted long-term strategy to provide water supply infrastructure for the protection of environmental river flows, improved drought security and to cater for increasing water demands associated with urban growth," Mr Sharp explained.

When completed, the 13.8km trunk main will supply water directly from Cowarra Dam into the Lake Cathie, Bonny Hills and Camden Haven areas and will also allow water to be transferred into the Port Macquarie Dam in times of need.

The total estimated cost of these construction works is $25 million and will be staged over the next 10 years.