ALTHOUGH construction is expected to be complete by July, a design for Bathurst's stormwater harvesting scheme is yet to be finalised.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The scheme is one of two major projects Bathurst Regional Council is pursuing to improve water security now and into the future.
Council was inspired to embark on stormwater harvesting after seeing the success of the scheme in Orange, and late last year received money from the NSW Government to put towards the project.
While design work has started, mayor Bobby Bourke has said that it is yet to be completed.
"The design of the stormwater harvesting project is still being undertaken so the location and size of any sites has not yet been finalised," he said.
"... The project consultants are currently working on the design of the project and are meeting with key stakeholders to further develop these plans."
Despite this, Cr Bourke said that construction was anticipated to start within the next two months and be finished not long after that.
"At this stage we expect contractors to be on site to commence work in mid-March with completion scheduled for mid-July," he said.
"This timeline is however dependent on council receiving the relevant approvals for the works program."
ALSO MAKING NEWS: Water restrictions could tighten after dam misses out on rain
With stormwater harvesting being new to Bathurst, council plans to keep the community informed.
The project consultants will hold a community information session on the project at the council chambers on Wednesday, January 29 between 3pm and 6pm.
"This session is designed so interested community members can drop in at any stage in the three hours to find out more about the project," Cr Bourke said.
Stormwater harvesting is designed to capture stormwater runoff in urban areas, which is then treated and used to supplement the town water supply.
When the idea was raised in August, councillors Bourke and Warren Aubin thought storage dams, if located in Kelso, could connect to the nearby Winburndale pipeline and water be pumped to the water filtration plant.
The other major project council is working on is strengthening the Winburndale Dam wall and upgrading the pipeline, with construction on this well under way.
Council to date has been given a commitment by the State Government for $10 million for both the stormwater harvesting and Winburndale Dam pipeline projects.
