WAGGA councillors have hit pause on a possible multimillion-dollar solution to Lake Albert's water woes.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The council had planned to discuss a $17 million upgrade to the existing Narrung Street Sewer Treatment Plant and the option of diverting the treated effluent into the lake to fix the low water levels.
It was a solution created in consultation with the state government, as well as the Wagga community.
In other news:
However, a unanimous vote by the city's councillors will see the proposed plan delayed until the council hears back from the state government regarding an 11th hour motion, which was put forward by Cr Rod Kendall.
Cr Kendall requested that the council seek state government approval for a credit to allow the volume of council treated water, diverted into the Murrumbidgee River, to be recovered.
He believes that this motion could save up to $6 million each year.
"I don't believe we should waste money, if there is an alternative outcome that is better," he said.
He asked that the motion be treated as "a matter of urgency" with the intention of gaining an answer by September, followed by a report from the council's staff.
Although Cr Paul Funnell did not like the council's chances of a successful response, he supported the motion.
He recalled a similar request made to the state government previously that was rejected. "In my battle with things like the Murray-Darling Basin Plan and Water NSW, I don't like our chances, but I really hope because I agree, one in and one out," he said.
"This is a win-win, but I pushed Cr Kendall to put a date on it because we cannot sit on this any longer, but this is the better outcome."
Cr Dan Hayes also voted to support the motion, despite his prediction of an unsuccessful outcome.
"My expectation is that it will be a no - and we will be back in two months discussing what we should have been discussing tonight," he said.
Cr Dallas Tout said he was happy to "give it latitude," because the council will revisit the original motion in October.