Draft Water Security Options Study
Help shape Uralla Shire's water future
Water is essential to life in Uralla, supporting our homes, businesses, farms and community. As climate conditions change and future water demands evolve, planning for a reliable and secure water supply has never been more important.
Uralla Shire Council, with support from NSW PublicContinue reading
Help shape Uralla Shire's water future
Water is essential to life in Uralla, supporting our homes, businesses, farms and community. As climate conditions change and future water demands evolve, planning for a reliable and secure water supply has never been more important.
Uralla Shire Council, with support from NSW Public Works, has been investigating water security options for several years. An important milestone has now been reached, with the completion of the Draft Water Security Options Study.
The study brings together years of technical investigations and assesses a range of options for securing Uralla's future water supply. Before Council considers how to proceed, we want to hear your views.
The Draft Water Security Options Study is now on public exhibition and we invite all residents, businesses and stakeholders to review the findings and provide feedback.
About the Study
The study was prepared by NSW Public Works and funded through the NSW Government's Safe and Secure Water Program.
It assesses four integrated water security options against a range of criteria, including:
- Water supply reliability
- Water quality
- Environmental impacts
- Social and community impacts
- Cost and affordability
- Construction and operational considerations
- Deliverability and risk.
The options we looked at
Each of the options considered in the study offers a different approach, with its own benefits, challenges and potential impacts.
Option 1 — Raw water pipeline from Armidale This option would bring untreated water from Armidale to Kentucky Creek Dam, where it would enter Uralla's existing water treatment system before being supplied to the community. | Option 2 — Drinking water pipeline from Armidale Under this option, treated drinking water would be transferred from |
Option 3 — Desilt Kentucky Creek Dam and raise the wall This option would involve removing accumulated sediment from Kentucky Creek Dam and raising the dam wall by one metre to increase the amount of water it can store, while continuing to rely on the existing water treatment infrastructure. | Option 4 — Raise Kentucky Creek Dam wall by 2 metres This option would increase the storage capacity of Kentucky Creek Dam by raising its wall by two metres, continuing to use the dam as Uralla's principal water source. This option would increase the storage capacity of Kentucky Creek Dam by raising its wall by two metres, continuing to use the dam as Uralla's principal water source and relying on the existing water treatment infrastructure. |
What the study found
Following assessment, the study found that Option 2, a drinking water pipeline from Armidale, achieved the strongest overall combination of water supply reliability, water quality, cost and deliverability.
Importantly, this is a technical recommendation from NSW Public Works, not a decision of Council.
Council has not selected a preferred option and will consider community feedback alongside the study findings before determining any future actions.
What we would like feedback on
We are interested in your views on:
- The findings of the Draft Water Security Options Study
- The strengths and challenges of the options assessed
- Potential impacts on the community, environment and local economy
- Issues Council should consider before making future decisions
- Any local knowledge that may assist Council in understanding the implications of the options presented.
All submissions received during the exhibition period will be considered before Council determines its next steps.
Submissions close midnight on Monday 18 January 2027.
What is not included in consultation
The Draft Water Security Options Study presents the options identified and assessed through the technical investigation process.
This consultation is focused on understanding community views on those options and their potential impacts.
The purpose of the consultation is not to conduct a vote on a preferred option, but to ensure Council understands community perspectives before considering future decisions.
Community Information Sessions
Council will host two information sessions where residents can learn more about the study, hear directly from project specialists and ask questions about the findings. Each session is identical.
Date: Tuesday 24 November 2026
Venue: Uralla Court House
Session 1
Time: 12:30pm to 2:30pm
Session 2
Time: 4:30pm to 6:30pm
Residents can attend in person or online.
Use the form below to register.
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Make a Submission
Council wants to hear your views on the Draft Water Security Options Study developed by NSW Public Works.
We're interested in what you see as the benefits, disadvantages and potential impacts of water security options, including any local issues or community priorities Council should consider.
You can comment on specific options or generally on all options. You don't need to answer every question.
The survey should take approximately 5–10 minutes.
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Complete Form
We will be holding two community information sessions on Tuesday 24 November, with Council representatives and technical specialists available to explain the work undertaken, how the options were assessed and what happens from here. We'd love you to join us.
Venue is the Uralla Court House, 9A Hill Street, Uralla
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- Why is Council looking at Uralla's water security?
- What is the Draft Water Security Options Study?
- What are the four options?
- Why were only these four options assessed in detail?
- What did the study recommend?
- Does this mean Council has decided to build a pipeline?
- Why is Council seeking feedback, and what should I comment on?
- Is this a vote on which option Council should choose?
- Can I suggest another option?
- Why don't we build a second dam?
- Why can't we simply make Kentucky Creek Dam bigger?
- Would removing the silt solve our water security problem?
- Why aren't groundwater bores one of the four options?
- Could rainwater tanks, water conservation or recycled water solve the problem?
- Why is treated drinking water preferred over a raw water pipeline?
- Does Armidale have enough water to supply Uralla during a severe drought?
- Would a pipeline be Uralla's main supply or only a drought backup?
- What happens if the pipeline breaks, power fails or Armidale introduces restrictions?
- What would happen to Kentucky Creek Dam and Uralla's treatment plant if a pipeline was selected?
- What do the cost estimates include, and what is excluded?
- How would the options be funded, and what could this mean for water bills?
- Who would own and operate the pipeline, and who would set the price of water?
- Which communities and properties would benefit?
- How long would the preferred option take to deliver, and what happens in the meantime?
- Can I speak to someone before making a submission?
- What happens after consultation closes?