mmg.com.au

The NSW Government has announced funding for Deniliquin’s Effluent Re-use Scheme two years earlier than expected.

Deniliquin Mayor Brian Mitsch expects the government’s contribution to be about $1.245 million.

The project will see Deniliquin’s open-drain system replaced with a pipeline, pumps installed at the sewage treatment plant and holding dams constructed at council’s Barham Rd facility.

It will also promote the use of effluent re-use water for agricultural purposes.

Deniliquin Council resolved to borrow $3 million for the project in October. Recent estimates now put the cost of the project at $2.49 million.

‘‘Council actually agreed to borrow funding pending the result of our request, but we were always pretty comfortable that we would get that funding,’’ Cr Mitsch said.

At the time, council expected the state government to pay $1.2 million of the $3 million, but not until 2014.

However, Minister for Primary Industries Katrina Hodgkinson and Member for Murray-Darling John Williams announced on Friday that the government would help fund the scheme.

Cr Mitsch said the development would save council a ‘‘substantial’’ amount of money in interest payments and other costs.

The project was expected to be completed by Christmas, but paperwork hold-ups meant that construction has not yet begun.

‘‘We have appointed the contractors,’’ Cr Mitsch said.

‘‘But from the reading of the letter that we got from the department I think we have to go through the tender process with them, but I wouldn’t expect there to be any problems with that.

‘‘Assuming that we can ratify those tenders I would hope to see them making some dust out there (Barham Rd) probably by the end of February.’’

Cr Mitsch said council had not yet borrowed the $3 million.

‘‘We expect to receive the government funding after the project’s completion.’’