Why do a Strategic Water Study?

In 2019, our community experienced a severe drought. The water level in Kentucky Creek Dam dropped to historic lows, and the water supply became contaminated. NSW Health later confirmed the presence of arsenic in the raw water feeding into the Uralla Water Treatment Plant. As a result, a Do Not Drink alert was issued for Uralla’s town water.

Further investigation revealed that the arsenic in Kentucky Creek Dam had changed from an inorganic to a toxic organic form. The likely cause was prolonged dry weather in the catchment, which triggered the growth of cyanobacteria and algae that contributed to this chemical change.

In 2022, we partnered with ZNET and the University of New South Wales (UNSW) to run a community consultation on the future of water security in Uralla Shire. The insights from that consultation were published in the "Let’s Talk About Water: Uralla Shire Water Blueprint – March 2022." You can download this report in the documents section of this page.ZNET Community Consultation 2022

In 2021, the NSW Government has provided Uralla Shire Council with a grant of $1.5M to investigate and develop an alternative water supply source. The initial focus of this grant is to see if there is a viable source of groundwater nearby to Uralla. For more information about Council's Groundwater Investigations and to ask a question click on this link to Council's Groundwater Investigations Have Your Say Page

Uralla Groundwater Investigations Project 2021-2026

Harwood Environmental Consultants (HEC)

In May 2024 Council commissioned a Bathymetric Survey of Kentucky Creek Dam. Jarvis Mumford-Day measured the depth of the Dam to determine the profile of the of the original dam to its present profile. Modelling was then done to provide an estimate between the historic dam capacity and its present capacity. The dam had lost approx.30% of its original capacity due to the build-up of sediment.

Kentucky Creek Dam levels - Community Consultation event

Strategic Water Security Planning Study Grant Funding

In 2024, our Council received a grant of up to $855,315 through the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, under the Safe and Secure Water Program. This funding is supporting the development of a detailed 30-year water strategy for our community.

To lead this work, we appointed NSW Public Works Advisory (PWA) to manage what was formerly called the Uralla Shire Integrated Water Management Program (IWCM) — now known as the Uralla Shire Strategic Water Planning Study.

Public Works Water Security proposal

These programs are overseen by a Project Manager who is responsible for the performance of the programs and undertakes coordination, planning and oversight of the assessment of short- and long-term risks to water quality and availability.

1. Water Quality Investigations
2. Public Works Program
3. Community Consultation and Engagement program
4. Uralla Groundwater investigations

Together, these elements form the foundation for a safe, sustainable future water supply for Uralla Shire.

NSW Government strongly encourages best practice management of water utilities throughout Regional NSW, which includes integrated Water Cycle Management Planning. The NSW Government is proud to support this important planning work being done by Uralla Shire Council under the safe and Secure Water program.

For more information about water quality, click this link NSW Health - Water Quality webpage

Water Quality Investigations ongoing in 2025-2026

Council is working with consultants to conduct sediment sampling and water testing of the raw water in Kentucky Creek Dam for chemical analysis.

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 appointed Strategic Water Security Consultant

As part of our commitment to securing long-term, sustainable water and wastewater services for our communities across the Shire, we have appointed NSW PWA to lead the Uralla Shire Strategic Water Security Planning Study. Public Works will present its findings to Council. This information will then be made available to the community during the engagement consultation program implemented by Becscomm PTY LTD.

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

This strategic water study has three main aims:

1. To develop a strategy to meet Uralla Shire's water quality and quantity and its sewer services for the next thirty years.
2. To identify the "best value 30-year IWCM scenario on a Trible Bottom Line (TBL) basis.
3. To keep the community informed and consulted in the decision-making process about future water service options.

This has been an in-depth and necessary study to make sure any future capital works are based on solid evidence. It’s essential that the services we deliver remain appropriate, affordable, and cost-effective - not just now, but for the next 30 years. These services must meet community needs while protecting public health and the environment.

To ensure water security for the long term, we need a range of viable options - and some of those may involve significant infrastructure requiring additional funding. Importantly, funding is available to water authorities that have completed the Strategic Water Planning Study (formerly IWCM).

This study allows us to explore available options (solutions) in an evidence-based way, including an understanding of cost, feasibility, and — most importantly — whether the community supports them and is willing to invest in sustaining water quality and quality for the next 30 years.

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 2026

As part of the Strategic Water Planning Study, we have engaged specialist consultants Becscomm Communication and Engagement PTY LTD. to help deliver a comprehensive community consultation program. Becscomm's Community engagement program aligns with the NSW Regional Communities consultation guidelines located by clicking this link: https://www.nsw.gov.au/nsw-government/communications/regional-communities-consultation-guide

The community consultation and engagement program will provide opportunities to participate and have your say in the following activities and workshops scheduled for mid-2026:

• Online Surveys (on this page)
• Focus groups
• Pop-up information sessions
• Interviews with key stakeholders and community groups

These engagement activities are designed to gather your experiences and ideas and will help Council make informed decisions for the future of water and wastewater services in the Uralla Shire.

Becscomm's Community Engagement Proposal

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

National Water Week 23 October 2025 - water matters in Uralla Shire Q + A

As part of the Uralla Shire's Water security study Council held a Community Q + A event to gather feedback from the community on the current costs of water and wastewater services. This event included a blind water taste test to promote the launch of Survey 1 - Costs of Services. The intention of the event and the survey is to allow the community to engage with Council Water Services Infrastructure staff about concerns and ideas relating to the water security issues facing the community. The event was hosted by ZNET.

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

High-Country Markets Water Security Community engagement event 7 Dec 2025

Water Security consultation & Engagement Dec 2025

What the Community told us.

Costs of services Survey 1 –summary findings.

Community feedback from the first Water Security Survey obtained through the online survey 1 and from the face-to-face Q + A National Water Week community event shows strong local connection to the Uralla Shire and mixed awareness of Council’s water security study. Residents reported varied readiness for drought, with many relying on rainwater tanks and others on town water.

Water security is a high‑priority issue, with concerns centred on running out of water, costs to households, environmental impacts, and effects on local business and agriculture. Reliability, safe drinking water, clear communication during outages, and sustainable services were identified as the most important features of the water supply.

Satisfaction with water and sewer services was mixed, and many respondents were unsure whether current water resources are being managed sustainably. The community offered a wide range of ideas for strengthening long‑term water security, including restoring dam capacity, improving catchment management, recycled water options, increasing storage, and greater support for household rainwater tanks and partnering with Armidale Regional Council to support regional solutions.

Survey 1 Costs of Service Community responses

Survey 2: "Our Options"

Community Consultation and Engagement program 2026 coming soon!