A pipeline from Armidale has come out on top in a study of how to keep water flowing to Uralla, but Uralla Shire Council says no decision has been made and it wants to hear from residents first.
The Draft Water Security Options Study is now on public exhibition. It looks at ways to secure a reliable and resilient water supply for Uralla township in the face of drought, climate change and future demand.
The study was prepared by NSW Public Works, with funding support through the NSW Government’s Safe and Secure Water Program. It builds on several years of investigations into Uralla’s water security challenges.
NSW Public Works identified four integrated water supply options and assessed each against criteria including cost, environmental impacts, reliability and deliverability.
The four options are:
- a raw water pipeline from Armidale
- a potable water pipeline from Armidale
- desilting Kentucky Creek Dam combined with raising the dam wall by 1 metre
- raising the Kentucky Creek Dam wall by 2 metres.
A potable water pipeline from Armidale achieved the highest overall ranking. However, it is a technical recommendation from NSW Public Works, not a decision of Council.
Kentucky Creek Dam is the main water source for Uralla township.
“Securing Uralla township’s water supply is essential for its residents, businesses and community organisations. This study is about planning ahead and making sure we have a reliable and resilient water supply for decades to come,” said Uralla Shire Mayor Robert Bell.
“Many people will remember how challenging the last drought was for our community. We know climate conditions are changing and we need to think carefully about how we secure Uralla’s water future.”
Mayor Bell said water security remained one of Council’s most important long-term priorities, and community feedback would play an important role in how Council considers the options.
“Water security is an issue our community feels passionately about, and understandably so. We know people will have strong views about the options presented, and we want to hear them,” he said.
“NSW Public Works has undertaken a significant body of technical work to identify and assess these four options. We are now asking the community to consider those findings and share its views on the potential benefits, disadvantages and local impacts.
“Local knowledge and community experience will help Council understand the matters it needs to consider before determining the next steps.”
The study builds on earlier work on groundwater, demand reduction, improvements to Kentucky Creek Dam and regional water sharing.
Council has also been working with Armidale Regional Council on regional water security planning, including supporting investigations and planning for the proposed Armidale–Uralla pipeline.
Two community information sessions will be held at the Uralla Court House on Tuesday, 24 November. The first runs from 12.30pm to 2.30pm and the second from 4.30pm to 6.30pm.
Residents can attend in person or online. Each session will include a presentation on the study’s findings, followed by a question-and-answer session with project specialists.
The study, supporting information, session registration and online submissions are all available on Council’s Your Say Uralla! website.
The exhibition runs until Monday, 18 January 2027. Council will then review submissions and weigh community feedback alongside the study’s technical findings before deciding the next steps.
“I want to reassure our community that the pipeline’s ranking in the study does not represent a final Council decision on which option will proceed,” Mayor Bell said.
Read the study and have your say at yoursay.uralla.nsw.gov.au/water-study-options.
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