Residents in Urbenville and surrounds will have easier access to bulk potable water with council approving a custom water dispensing station in the village.
At last week's meeting councillors authorised the reallocation of $40,000 from the Tenterfield mains replacement budget to fund the project, which will take around four months to become operational. A contribution towards the cost will be sought from Kyogle Shire Council, as the project will also benefits residents on its side of the border in nearby Woodenbong.
READ ALSO:
At the moment there's only one potable water dispensing station in the shire, in the Tenterfield township opposite the council depot in Riley Street. That's a long commute or high cartage feeds for residents in the far north of the shire.
Their drought water needs so far have been served by a visiting council worker metering out water from a tank over a hydrant, or by collecting it from Kyogle or Casino.
"A longer-term solution will help many people," council's acting chief executive Andre Kompler said.
The permanent installation will also support tourism efforts in the area, supplying water to vans and campers.
Council's looking at a payback period of 30 years at most, based on non-drought returns of around $1000 to $1500 a year, jumping to more than $4000 during drought.
Bulk water sales from a council facility are $6.20 per thousand litres.
