Terrigal’s water supply is now more secure thanks to an Australian Government-funded project that will save approximately 80 million litres of drinking water per year.

“The Australian Government has contributed $2 million to this project as part of our commitment to help major cities and towns secure water supplies through the National Urban Water and Desalination Plan,” said Senator Simon Birmingham, Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment.

“The project, which involves using treated stormwater to irrigate sporting grounds, is the largest stormwater harvesting project that that Gosford City Council has undertaken, and I congratulate the Gosford City Council on the successful completion of the Terrigal and Hylton Moore Park Stormwater Harvesting project.

“As well as reducing demands on drinking water, the project will reduce the impact of stormwater run-off on the region’s beautiful water-ways,” Senator Birmingham said.

The project involves two components. The Hylton Moore Park Scheme includes underground water storage, a water treatment plant and infrastructure to irrigate the Hylton Moore Park Sports fields and Terry Oval in Terrigal.

The Terrigal CBD scheme uses similar stormwater harvesting and reuse infrastructure to irrigate the Terrigal Bowling Club Greens and Haven Oval. Treated stormwater will also be used by the Crown Plaza Hotel for cleaning, toilets, air-conditioning cooling towers and washing laundry.

Mrs Lucy Wicks, Member for Robertson said this project serves as a leading example of how local communities, business and local government can work together to deliver benefits for current and future generations.

“Residents and tourists will be pleased to know that well-loved beautiful natural areas such as Terrigal Lagoon will now face fewer impacts from stormwater run-off,” Mrs Wicks said.

“Our football players, cricketers, baseball players and other sportspeople can also now enjoy the sports fields at Hylton Moore Park, Terry Oval and Haven Oval in the knowledge that the grass has been sustainably irrigated with treated stormwater,” she said. 

The Australian Government’s National Urban Water and Desalination Plan is helping major towns and cities to secure their water supplies and reduce their reliance on rainfall.