NSW Opposition Leader Peter Debnam, Shadow Minister for the Central Coast Chris Hartcher, Liberal Candidate for Gosford Chris Holstein, Liberal Candidate for The Entrance Phil Walker and Liberal Candidate for Wyong Brenton Pavier today announced the NSW Liberal/Nationals $132 million Central Coast water plan. 

“Residents of the Central Coast deserve immediate action to address the water crisis. After twelve years all Labor has offered is a plan for a dam that will not be complete for another ten years,” Mr Debnam said.

“In addition to the Tillegra Dam, the NSW Liberal/Nationals Coalition will deliver a comprehensive $132 million Central Coast Water Plan to drought-proof the Central Coast within three years,” he said.

“I have worked closely with our Central Coast Liberal candidates and the local community to develop a range of initiatives that will ensure the Central Coast is more self-reliant and less dependent on help from Sydney or the Hunter for water.

Our comprehensive $132 million Central Coast Water Plan involves the following:

1.  $80m for the completion of a Central Coast Regional Water Grid through construction of the Lower Wyong and Mardi to Mangrove Transfer System including upgrading of pumping stations and the construction of a 21km pipeline from Mardi Dam to Mangrove Creek Dam – to be commenced immediately and completed within three years.

2. A $20m Central Coast Water Infrastructure Fund for large-scale stormwater harvesting and water recycling projects on the Central Coast, with matching funding to be sought from the Central Coast local government authorities and the Commonwealth on a 1/3:1/3:1/3 basis.

3. A $1500 Rainwater Tank Rebate for all households who purchase a rainwater tank with a capacity of 2000 litres or greater and connect it to their toilet and/or washing machine. This will be in addition to the existing rebate provided by Gosford and Wyong Councils for Central Coast residents. The additional $1500 rebate will be provided upfront under a special pilot scheme to pay the rebate direct to registered suppliers.

4. $2m for installation of rainwater tanks in all state government buildings on the Central Coast.

5. Protection of the security of the Central Coast’s water supply by ensuring no mining is allowed to threaten the Central Coast water catchment area.

6. Declaration of a State of Emergency and appointment of Central Coast Water Commissioner to cut through the bureaucracy and red tape so we can ensure our projects are completed and our Central Coast Water Plan is fully implemented as a matter of urgency.

“This comprehensive plan will help get the Central Coast back in front,” Mr Debnam said.

Mr Hartcher said today’s announcement is an important victory for the community who have been failed by the Labor Government’s inability to plan for the Central Coast’s water crisis.

Mr Holstein said the NSW Liberal/Nationals water plan is an important step forward in addressing the Central Coast’s water crisis.

Mr Walker said a key difference between Labor’s plan and the Liberal Party’s plan to address the water crisis is that under Labor the Central Coast will not receive any relief for at least 10 years, whereas our plan will address the water crisis immediately.

Mr Pavier said he was very pleased that the Liberal Party’s plan was developed hand-in-hand with the community.

“Last week we held a water roundtable with a number of community representatives to finalise our water policy and ensure that it reflects what local residents want and deserve,” Mr Pavier said.

“Only a NSW Liberal/Nationals Government can address the Central Coast’s water crisis and get NSW back in front,” Mr Pavier concluded.