IT could be close to another year before Bathurst has a working stormwater harvesting scheme.
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The early estimates were that construction would be complete in July 2020, but at this stage Bathurst Regional Council is still working with the NSW Government to get the relevant approvals.
Darren Sturgiss, council's director of Engineering Services, expects to provide the documentation next month.
"Council is currently preparing its application for authorisation for the water harvesting project, responding to requirements from the NSW Government and we have supplied initial documents to the NSW Government for review," he said.
"Council staff continue to meet with staff from the NSW State Government departments involved.
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"Detailed design work continues to allow the environmental assessment to be completed and for this to be provided to the state government as soon as possible. It is expected that the full environmental assessment document will be provided to the state government in November."
Adding an extra layer of complexity to the project, site cards claiming areas of Aboriginal cultural significance have been placed on the route of the pipeline.
An aboriginal cultural heritage assessment needs to be done to determine if the project will impact these areas.
"The environmental assessment is complete except for a portion of the route that is subject to aboriginal cultural heritage assessment and that work is underway," Mr Sturgiss said.
"The sites cards will be considered as part of this assessment process."
It is unknown how long the approval process for the project will take and, as construction could take up to nine months, it could be some time before it is ready.
Mr Sturgiss has previously said the rising dam level had given council time to get the project done right and in the most cost-effective way.
When it is up and running, it will be an asset to Bathurst's water security.
"Council's projections are that the stormwater harvesting scheme would have added 4,700 megalitres to council's water supply over the last three years, being one of the driest periods on record, which would supplement supply from the Fish River and Chifley Dam," Mr Sturgiss said.
"The stormwater harvesting scheme will collect and store water to supplement the existing water sources used for the town water supply.
"In times when the dam is at capacity, reliance on stormwater harvesting will be reduced, and the inflows will remain in the river system."
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