New program delivers better water and sewerage systems at Toomelah

6 October, 2009

A potential breakdown of the sewage pumping station and major sewage spills at the tiny, remote 300-strong Aboriginal community of Toomelah, near Boggabilla, have been averted - thanks to a new joint State Government/New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council initiative.

"We now have significantly improved water and sewerage systems," the CEO of Toomelah Local Aboriginal Land Council, Angela Dennison said today when commenting on the new, $200 million joint water and sewerage program.

The 25 year joint initiative, which began last year, is still in its infancy but already 13 communities have better water and sewerage systems.

A total of 60 discrete Aboriginal communities will benefit from the scheme.

"The Moree Plains Shire Council have been very co-operative and supportive," Ms Dennison added.

Moree Plains Shire Council Mayor, Councillor Katrina Humphries said once the program began it was quickly established that there were serious deficiencies in both the water and sewerage systems in the community.

" In fact, if we hadn't acted quickly, the sewerage pump would probably have failed".

Councillor Humphries.said once the go ahead was given to carry out improvements, the Shire Council had

• Immediately carried out significant repairs to the sewerage pumping station
• Fixed a broken water main
• Replaced the telemetry
• Placed new water lift pumps on the water supply
• Vacuum cleaned out all of the sewer mains at Toomelah
• Connected water supply to the church and community meeting hall
• Placed new chlorine pumps on the bore water supply
• Constructed a levee bank to flood protect the sewage pump station
• Connected water supply into the memorial park at Toomelah

"Further improvements are planned for the future," she said.

Ms Dennison said a specialist repair and maintenance operator was now based at Boggabilla  for Toomelah maintenance.

The water and sewerage is monitored by a telemetric system 24 hours a day, which automatically calls staff on any faults.

"When we have had problems he has been prepared to come out almost immediately," Ms Dennison added.

"The water is now tested daily for quality by the Boggabilla operator."

"I know further improvements are planned, but community feedback has been very positive.

"It's better - and will get better still."

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Further information:      
Angela Dennison 07 4676 2348
Catherine Davis (Moree Plains Shire Council) 02 6757 3383