NSW Opposition Leader Peter Debnam and Liberal Candidate for Goulburn Pru Goward today announced a strong and clear Southern Tablelands water plan to guarantee supply for the region. 

"Goulburn and the Southern Tablelands is one of the worst affected areas by the water crisis in NSW and needs a specific solution," Mr Debnam said.

"Our $109 million regional water plan for Goulburn and the Southern Tablelands, will hit the spot," he said.

"I commend Pru Goward on the leadership she has shown in working as part of my NSW Liberal/Nationals team to bring this solution together.

"My water plan for the Southern Tablelands includes:

• A $60 million commitment towards the completion of a Queanbeyan/Southern Tablelands Regional Water Grid through the construction of a pipeline to connect the City of Goulburn to the Googong Dam via Queanbeyan. We will seek matching funding from the Commonwealth for the completion of the Water Grid.

• A new $1500 Rainwater Tank Rebate in addition to the existing rebate provided by Goulburn Mulwaree Council. The additional $1500 rebate will be provided upfront under a special pilot scheme to pay the rebate direct to registered suppliers.

• $3 million for the construction of a new weir upstream on the Wollondilly River to improve and expand Goulburn’s water storage capacity.

• $25 million towards the construction of a local water pipeline between Goulburn’s two major dams, Pejar and Sooley, to improve water storage and transfer capability.

• Support the proposed community survey on water recycling.

• Determine, with community consultation, the technology requirements to upgrade Goulburn’s sewage treatment plant (STP) and commit up to $15 million for the upgrade of the STP in partnership with the Commonwealth and Goulburn Mulwaree Council.

• $2 million towards the installation of additional reticulation to transfer recycled water from the STP to local playing fields to help restore Goulburn’s local playing fields and make them available for local sport again.

• $2 million for the construction of wetlands at Eastgrove Flats to provide a natural filtration system for Goulburn’s stormwater.

• $2 million for stormwater harvesting infrastructure to transfer stormwater to the wetlands.

"There is no silver bullet on water. We need to tackle this water crisis town by town, region by region and step by step. Goulburn and the Southern Tablelands is a vital part of the plan," Mr Debnam said.

"The water crisis we now face is the result of the Carr-Iemma Labor’s Government failure to plan and act on water for 12 years.

"We need to create a resolve and sense of urgency within Government to tackle this crisis, matched by commonsense, practical solutions that will work at a grass roots level," he said.

Ms Goward said Labor has had long enough after 12 years to find a solution for Goulburn's water.

"Yet for more than two years, our community of Goulburn has been on level five water restrictions," Ms Goward said.

"Local people have endured the talking down of Goulburn for too long. Local families are sick of seeing their gardens die.

"Local business people are sick of being questioned about the viability of water dependent businesses.

"Those in charge have offered only bandaids, but now the NSW Liberal/Nationals water plan is a real answer to move Goulburn on from level five water restrictions.

"I'm pleased Peter has listened to our concerns and offered a practical comprehensive solution," Ms Goward said.