THE NSW Shadow Minister for Water, Steph Cooke, said this week the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water rejected an urgent request for bottled drinking water from Coonamble, more than a week after the town was placed on a boil water notice.

Coonamble is one of a growing number of rural and regional communities calling for state and federal investment to upgrade their ageing, overstretched water infrastructure.

Already under strict water restrictions, the town was issued a boil water notice on January 29 following a system failure at the local water treatment plant.

The notice has left residents unable to safely drink tap water and facing serious disruptions to daily life.

As council crews worked to stabilise the water network, Coonamble Shire Council introduced a range of relief measures, including the distribution of free bottled water packs to affected residents.

As council crews work to stabilise the water network, Coonamble Shire Council has introduced a range of relief measures, including the distribution of free bottled water packs to affected residents (Image: Coonamble Shire Council).

To support these efforts, Council lodged an urgent application to DCCEEW under the Emergency Financial Assistance Grants program, which provides for the provision of bottled water in exceptional circumstances.

Twelve days after the boil water notice was issued, Ms Cooke said DCCEEW formally declined the request.

Ms Cooke said Coonamble is just one of dozens of communities across rural and regional New South Wales  urgently calling on the Minns Labor Government for help.

“How can you be aware of a community’s circumstances, but have no knowledge of any requests made for meaningful assistance,” she asked.

“To deny bottled water to a community that cannot rely on its own taps for safe drinking water is completely outrageous, and it sets a cruel precedent for the next town that wakes up to a boil water notice caused by aging infrastructure.

“If the Government is unwilling to assist with something as basic and immediate as bottled water during a public health incident, what hope do communities have of securing the long-term funding needed to replace failing systems, especially after three budget cycles with no meaningful investment in this space,” she said.

“Time and time again, the Minister justifies her lack of intervention with an offer of ‘technical support’, but it only kicks the can down the road, and that’s the billion-dollar backlog of projects the Government continues to neglect.

“The condition of water infrastructure across regional NSW is approaching crisis point, and responsibility sits squarely with the Minister, who has had the authority to intervene since 2023.”

Ms Cooke spoke with the mayor of Coonamble and reaffirmed her commitment to fight for a fairer outcome for the community.

Coonamble Shire Council had requested a meeting with the Minister, but was advised senior departmental representatives will instead be available for discussions toward the end of March.