50,000L tanks to be installed in 10 Bathurst region villages

Calare MP Andrew Gee said Bathurst Regional Council had identified 13 village projects to be funded through the Australian Government's Drought Communities Program.

They include the provision of 50,000 litre water tanks to be installed in Freemantle, Sofala, Hill End, Trunkey Creek, Rockley, Yetholme, Peel, Sunny Corner, Wattle Flat and Georges Plains.

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Mr Gee said the water tanks were the ideal piece of infrastructure investment to help villages prepare for future dry spells.

"During these extremely dry times the provision of community water tanks to local villages is the perfect investment project for the Drought Communities Program," Mr Gee said.

"The tanks will be installed to meet a range of objectives including additional water for firefighting purposes, water for use at community events and to increase community amenity.

"This measure will contribute to the emotional, physical and economic wellbeing of village communities."

Mr Gee said Bathurst Regional Council was one of 128 councils across the country that had successfully applied for Drought Communities Program funding in 2019.

"Project funding is intended to provide short-term support, including by boosting local employment and procurement, and addressing social and community needs," he said.

Bathurst mayor Bobby Bourke said council was committed to supporting resilient village communities across the region during these tough times of drought.

"Council has purchased, installed and provided the first fill for a new 50,000L rain water tank within the villages of Freemantle, Sofala, Hill End, Trunkey Creek, Rockley, Yetholme, Peel, Sunny Corner, Wattle Flat and Georges Plains," Cr Bourke said.

"These tanks may be co-located with Rural Fire Service facilities or other existing infrastructure, as is the case with the water tank which is located at the Rural Fire Service in Freemantle."