Why Are We Doing a Strategic Water Planning Study?

Water is essential to the health, wellbeing and future of our communities. The Strategic Water Planning Study will help Council identify sustainable, reliable and affordable ways to meet the Shire's water and wastewater needs over the next 30 years.

The study was initiated following the severe drought experienced across the region in 2019, when water levels in Kentucky Creek Dam fell significantly and water quality issues affected Uralla's town water supply. NSW Health later identified arsenic contamination in the raw water entering the Uralla Water Treatment Plant, resulting in a "Do Not Drink" alert for residents.

These events highlighted the need to better understand future risks to water quality and water supply, particularly during extended drought conditions. They also reinforced the importance of planning for a secure and resilient water future.

Since then, Council has undertaken a range of investigations and community engagement activities to better understand local water security challenges and identify potential solutions.

The Strategic Water Planning Study brings this work together to help guide future investment, planning and decision-making.

ZNET Community Consultation 2022

Investigating Additional Water Supply Options

In 2021, the NSW Government provided Uralla Shire Council with $1.5 million to investigate potential alternative water supply sources for Uralla.

The initial focus of this work is to determine whether local groundwater can help supplement supplies from Kentucky Creek Dam during droughts and other emergency situations.

These investigations will help Council better understand available water resources and identify options to improve long-term water security for the community.

To learn more about the Groundwater Investigations Project, view project updates or submit a question, visit Council's Groundwater Investigations page.

to Council's Groundwater Investigations Have Your Say Page

Groundwater Investigation Findings

Investigations have identified groundwater as a potential supplementary water source for Uralla during droughts and emergency situations.

To protect groundwater resources and surrounding water users, proposed extraction limits have been established for the investigation bores:

• TB06: 35 Megalitres per year
• TB07: 105 Megalitres per year

These limits are based on technical assessments and groundwater modelling undertaken by the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) to understand the long-term impacts of water extraction.

Harwood Environmental Consultants (HEC)

Kentucky Creek Dam Capacity Assessment (Bathymetric Survey)

In May 2024, Council commissioned a survey of Kentucky Creek Dam to better understand its current storage capacity.

The survey measured the depth of the dam and compared its current condition with its original design. This work helped estimate how much storage capacity has been lost over time due to the build-up of sediment. The assessment found that Kentucky Creek Dam has lost approximately 30% of its original storage capacity as a result of sediment accumulation.

Bathymetric survey of Kentucky Creek Dam

Strategic Water Planning Study Funding

In 2024, Uralla Shire Council received funding through the NSW Government's Safe and Secure Water Program to support the development of a long-term water strategy for the community.

The funding will help Council better understand future water security challenges, assess potential solutions, and plan for reliable and sustainable water and wastewater services over the next 30 years.

NSW Public Works Advisory (PWA) has been appointed to lead the Strategic Water Planning Study and provide technical advice to support Council's future decision-making.

Public Works Water Security proposal

Key Components of the Strategic Water Planning Study

The Strategic Water Planning Study brings together several workstreams that help Council better understand current water challenges and plan for the future.

These include:

• Water quality investigations
• Groundwater investigations
• Technical planning and assessment by NSW Public Works Advisory
• Community consultation and engagement activities

Together, these activities provide the information needed to assess future water security options and support informed decision-making for the Shire.

The study follows best-practice water planning principles supported by the NSW Government, helping councils across regional NSW plan for reliable, sustainable and resilient water services.

For more information about water quality and drinking water safety, visit the NSW Health Water Quality webpage. NSW Health - Water Quality webpage

Water Quality Investigations at Kentucky Creek Dam

This video highlights sediment sampling and water quality testing activities being undertaken at Kentucky Creek Dam as part of the Strategic Water Planning Study. The findings will help Council better understand current water quality conditions and inform future water security planning.

Below are the water testing and sediment sampling locations on the dam.

Kentucky Creek Dam Sediment Sampling and Water Testing locations

Water testing crew on Kentucky Creek Dam September 2025

NSW Public Works Leading the Strategic Water Planning Study

Council has engaged NSW Public Works Advisory (PWA) to lead the Strategic Water Planning Study and provide technical expertise throughout the project.

The study will assess future water security challenges, investigate potential solutions, and identify options to support reliable and sustainable water and wastewater services across the Shire.

Study findings will be shared with Council and the community through the consultation and engagement program, helping inform future planning and decision-making.

Public Works workshop 1 Issues Paper Report Uralla Court House June 2025

What the Study Aims to Achieve

The Strategic Water Planning Study has three key aims:

• Develop a long-term strategy to support reliable, sustainable, and affordable water and wastewater services across the Shire over the next 30 years.
• Identify the most suitable long-term water security options by considering economic, environmental, and community outcomes.
• Keep the community informed and involved throughout the planning and decision-making process.

The study will help Council make informed decisions about future water investments based on evidence, community priorities, and long-term sustainability.

Our goal is to ensure water and wastewater services remain reliable, affordable and fit for purpose over the next 30 years. Future solutions must meet community needs while protecting public health and the environment.

To strengthen long-term water security, Council is investigating a range of practical options. Some may require infrastructure investment, while others may focus on making better use of existing water resources.

The Strategic Water Planning Study provides a structured way to assess these options by considering their costs, benefits, feasibility, environmental impacts and level of community support.

Community feedback will play an important role in helping Council identify preferred options and plan for the future.

Water Security Options Assessment - Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) workshop

To help determine the best long-term approach to water security, Council and its technical advisors will assess a range of potential options. Each option will be evaluated against a consistent set of criteria, including cost, reliability, environmental outcomes, and community benefit.

This assessment process will help identify which options are practical, sustainable, and capable of meeting the Shire's future water needs.

The results will be presented to Council and will help inform future community consultation and decision-making. Community feedback, together with technical assessments, will play an important role in identifying preferred options for the future.

Community consultation and next steps

Once a shortlist of viable water security options has been identified, Council will begin a community consultation program.

The community will have the opportunity to review the options and provide feedback on those that are practical, achievable, and capable of meeting the Shire's future water needs.

To support this process, Council has engaged independent community engagement specialists Becscomm Pty Ltd to facilitate consultation and encourage broad community participation.

Feedback from the community, together with the findings of the technical assessments, will help Council identify and evaluate preferred options.

Council will then consider all available information before making decisions about future water security planning and infrastructure investment. The outcomes of the study and consultation process will be communicated to the community through Council's usual communication channels.

Following consultation

Once community consultation has concluded, Council will consider both the findings of the technical assessments and the feedback received from the community.

This information will help Council evaluate the available options and identify a preferred approach to securing the Shire's future water supply and wastewater services.

Council will keep the community informed throughout the process and share the outcomes of the study and any future decisions through its regular communication channels.

Public Works IWCM Strategic Water Security Study is funded by the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water under the Safe and Secure Water Program

For more information about NSW water strategy and how it's aimed to assist "government, land use planners, water utilities, development proponents, and the community to work together to plan, manage and deliver water-resilient cities and towns across NSW" click on the link below -

Integrated Water Cycle Management (IWCM) | NSW Government Water

Community Consultation & Engagement Program 2025 - 2026

Community input is an important part of the Strategic Water Planning Study.

To help deliver the consultation program, Council has engaged independent community engagement specialists Becscomm Pty Ltd. Their role is to facilitate consultation activities and help ensure the community has opportunities to learn about the study and share feedback.

Throughout 2026, residents, businesses, and community groups will be invited to participate in a range of engagement activities, including:

• Online surveys
• Focus groups
• Pop-up information sessions
• Stakeholder and community group discussions

These activities will provide opportunities to share local knowledge, experiences, concerns, and ideas about future water and wastewater services across the Shire.

Feedback gathered through the consultation program will help inform Council's decision-making and support the development of a long-term water security strategy for Uralla Shire.

The community consultation program has been developed with reference to relevant NSW Government consultation and engagement guidelines and water sector planning frameworks.

For those interested in further information, the following resources are available:

• NSW Regional Communities Consultation Guide
• NSW Office of Local Government Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework
• NSW Water Regulatory and Assurance Framework

Becscomm's Community Engagement Proposal

The Uralla Shire Council Water Security Community Engagement Program is generously funded by the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water under the Safe and Secure Water Program

Community Water Security Events

Council has been engaging with the community through a range of events and activities to raise awareness of water security challenges and gather feedback to help inform future planning.

These events have provided opportunities for residents to learn more about the Strategic Water Planning Study, ask questions, and share their views on the future of water and wastewater services across the Shire.

National Water Week Community Q&A and Survey Launch

As part of National Water Week 2025, Council hosted a community Q&A event to discuss water security and launch the first community survey on water and wastewater services.

The event provided an opportunity for residents to speak directly with Council staff, ask questions about water security challenges, and share their ideas for the future of water services in Uralla Shire.

A water taste-testing activity was also held to encourage discussion and awareness of local water services. The event was supported by ZNET.

National Water Week - Water Security Cost of Service Survey 1 launch Uralla Court House 23 Oct 2023

High Country Markets Water Security Information Stall

Council attended the Uralla High Country Markets to provide information about the Strategic Water Planning Study and encourage community participation in Survey 1.

The information stall provided an opportunity for residents to learn more about the study, discuss local water security issues, and share their views on the future of water and wastewater services across the Shire.

The event helped raise awareness of the study and encouraged community involvement in shaping future water security planning.

Water Security consultation & Engagement Dec 2025

What the Community Told Us

Survey 1: Cost of Services

Summary Findings – February 2026

Results from Survey 1 and community engagement activities highlighted the importance of water security to residents across the Shire. Community feedback identified several key themes:

• Residents reported varying levels of preparedness for drought, with many relying on rainwater tanks and others on town water.
• Reliable and safe drinking water is a high priority for the community.
• Residents highlighted the importance of clear communication during service disruptions and drought periods.
• Suggestions for improving long-term water security included restoring dam capacity, improving catchment management, increasing water storage, supporting rainwater tanks, exploring recycled water opportunities, and considering regional partnerships.

A summary of the Survey 1 results is available below.

Survey 1 Costs of Service Community responses

Uralla Shire Council expresses its gratitude to the Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment, and Water for its assistance.