The Belubula River flows into Carcoar Dam.
Central West communities are being invited to learn more about proposed new water infrastructure projects that could improve supply, lock-in water security and boost drought resilience at information sessions taking place next week.
Locals will have the opportunity to get a better understanding of the $7.7 million Belubula Water Security Project that is delivering a Full Business Case (FBC) exploring the feasibility of:
1. Building a new pipeline between Lake Rowlands Dam and Carcoar Dam which could transfer up to 2GL of water per year, capturing spills and boosting supply
2. Raising the Lake Rowlands Dam wall to increase storage from 4.5GL to 8GL securing water for Central Tablelands communities and potentially Orange
3. Building a new dam 2.5km downstream of Lake Rowlands
4. Developing operational rules for an existing two-way interregional pipeline that connects Orange to the Belubula catchment
These four options are shortlisted in the Lachlan and Macquarie-Castlereagh Regional Water Strategies as part of a range of innovative measures to future-proof water for towns in the Central West including Blayney, Carcoar and Canowindra.
A drop-in community session is being held at the Canowindra CWA Hall on Wednesday 26 March, 10.30am-12.30pm. Locals can also register for an online webinar on Tuesday 1 April 2025 between 5.30pm-6.30pm.
Work on the FBC is expected to be completed by early 2026. There will be further community consultation over the next 12 months as the project progresses.
For more information, go to: https://water.dpie.nsw.gov.au/our-work/water-infrastructure-nsw/regional-projects/belubula-water-security-project