Hilltops Council has voted to rescind a resolution and use existing funding to proceed with the design of the Harden to Boorowa Pipeline at its most recent Ordinary Meeting.
Councillors voted to receive and note the report on the Harden to Boorowa Pipeline update, rescind resolution 24/283 to undertake a Biodiversity Assessment Report and proceed to detailed design of the Harden to Boorowa Pipeline using existing funding, as well as an added amendment that a species impact statement be considered by Council if sufficient funds are available and the time frame permits.
The report submitted to Council by the Director of Infrastructure, was to provide Councillors with an update on the Harden to Boorowa Pipeline project.
"The Harden to Boorowa Pipeline has been Council's preferred option for Boorowa's water security since at least 2017," the report read.
"The project incorporates the supply of potable water from Goldenfields Water County Council (GWCC), as is currently the case for the Hilltops communities of Jugiong, Harden, Young and Galong.
The project is currently in the phase of completing investigations according to the report, as well as design and costing the proposed pipeline.
"An update on the project was provided to the August 2024 Ordinary Council meeting, where Council resolved to undertake a Biodiversity Assessment Report (BDAR)," the report read.
"Council staff have been preparing to have a BDAR undertaken for the project and have found that there is not enough budget or time to complete the BDAR.
"A report will be provided to the October Ordinary Council meeting to allow Council to consider options."
According to the report the total cost of a BDAR for the project could not accurately be estimated as the outcomes of the initial assessment stages would impact the scope of the final assessment.
"The consult has provided a cost for the initial assessment stages and an estimated cost for the final assessment," the report read.
The costs provided were $87,021 for Stage 1 and Stage 2 - Biodiversity Assessment and Impact Assessment, an estimated $120,000 for Stage 3 - Candidate Species Targeted Surveys making a total estimated cost of $207,021.
"The project has a remaining budget of $180,574 which includes $108,754 of contingency for the current phase of investigations and concept design for the Harden to Boorowa Pipeline," the report read.
"If the BDAR is progressed, a funding shortfall of $26,447 will occur with no available contingency for the works."
According to the report there is no capacity for contribution from the Boorowa Water Reserve fund 'due to the need to construct a new reservoir in 2025/2026.
"The shortfall could be loan funded however this would affect the position of the fund for the loan term," the report read.
The second issue, that of time, would have the BDAR not available or finalised for 12 months.
"The BDAR would also take 12 months to complete, commencing in Spring 2024," the report read.
"A final report would be prepared once all the surveys are completed."
The required survey times would have a spring survey run in October, a summer survey in December and a winter survey in July.
"The available funding for this project expires on June 30, 2025, so a BDAR cannot be completed under the current funding arrangements," the report read.
"If the BDAR was to progress, Council would need to formally request an extension of time."
The advice from the Director of Infrastructure is that the project can progress to the design stage without a BDAR subject to funding agency approval.
"Detailed design has been quoted as $109,515," the report read.
"There is enough budget to complete detailed design and it would be complete before the funding deadline."
The report indicates discussions with the funding agency are likely to approve progression to detailed design 'but any request for time extension is unlike to be approved.'
"Completion of detailed design would mean Council could apply for funding for construction of the pipeline," the report read.
Council has undertaken an environmental assessment which is being reviewed and will be provided to Councillors and published on Hilltops Council's website once reviewed.
The amended recommendation was moved by Cr Blackwell and Cr Foreman with Cr Blackwell, Cr Davis, Cr Douglas, Cr Flanery, Cr Gallo, Cr Ingram, Cr Langford, Cr Mackay and Cr Stadtmiller voting in favour of the motion. Cr Dodd and Cr Foreman voted against the motion.