After a lot of heartache, former Dubbo mayor Allan Smith said it was a proud moment on Wednesday when the Eumungerie Water Supply Scheme was officially opened.
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Dubbo Regional Council representatives, both past and current, as well as members of the community attended the informal opening at the Eumungerie RSL Hall.
Mr Smith addressed the audience, followed by former Eumungerie resident Les Brookfield declaring the scheme officially open.
“It was a process that we as council put in place in 1995 when we did Wongarbon. Stewart McLeod who was director at the time said if we were going to do Wongarbon we should do all of them,” Mr Smith said.
“It was 22 years from when we first decided to get it done. It was a lot of heartache and a lot of argument but we got there.”
The scheme provides the residents of Eumungerie and Mogriguy with access to potable water.
Mr Smith said the water supply scheme increased the safety for the residents, as if there was a fire there would now be direct access to water rather than having reticulated fire trucks going back and forth.
It also increased the social equality in the villages, he said.
“It was very, very nice to be there and be able to see it. I was deputy mayor when the water was done at Wongarbon, I got to be at Brocklehurst because I was there mayor, in Ballimore I was mayor so I got to be part of the opening, and I got to speak at Eumungerie as an ex-councillor, ex-deputy and ex-mayor,” Mr Smith said.
“It filled me with pride and I felt that we had really achieved something. It’s not all about the arguments, it’s about being able to do something for the community.”
The project involved the construction of more than 35 kilometres of pipeline. A wet winter last year caused problems for the work and delayed its opening.
The water was turned on in February, however at that time it was only suitable for gardens. In April it was available for drinking.
Council administrator Michael Kneipp said it had been a significant project for council and was a great outcome for the residents.
“There were 48 households in Eumungerie and six households in Mogriguy using rainwater tanks and purchasing bulk water during dry periods, these households now have access to a consistent and reliable source of quality drinking water under the scheme,” Mr Kneipp said.
Access to the water supply would also make it easier for the up-keep of the village reserves and domestic gardens, he said, as well as increasing the water availability for pets and stock.