Lostock Dam to Glennies Creek Dam Pipeline Project

About the final business case

A final business case is currently being developed to assess if the projects should proceed. It will ensure investment decisions are well assessed, provide value for money, consider and mitigate risks and are consistent with the NSW Government priorities and objectives.

The final business case is expected to be submitted for an investment decision in the second half of 2024.

If the projects proceed, an environmental impact assessment will be undertaken and the relevant planning approvals sought.

Current status

The department’s Water Group and Hunter Water have conducted a range of activities and assessments over the last 18 months to inform the final business case.

These include:

• engaging with First Nations people, landholders, community, industry bodies and other government agencies to discuss the projects and seek feedback on potential impacts, benefits and opportunities
• conducting environmental, social, land use and heritage investigations to inform potential infrastructure options in the Hunter region
• undertaking hydrological and estuary modelling to understand the impacts, benefits and possible effects of the proposed infrastructure options on the current water systems and catchments
• developing preliminary engineering concept designs.

Community and stakeholder engagement

The Water Group and Hunter Water are committed to building and maintaining respectful, trusted and collaborative relationships with relevant communities and stakeholders to ensure this proposed water infrastructure project achieves the best possible outcomes.

Engagement update

To date, the Water Group and Hunter Water have engaged extensively with the community, First Nations people, landholders, water users and industry on the project via:

• face-to-face and online community information sessions between September 2022 and February 2024
• direct engagement/communication with more than 40 landholders across the project area to discuss the proposed project, including land and water access negotiations to complete environmental assessments and technical studies for the project meetings with Local Aboriginal Land Councils in the region and the participation of First Nations groups and Registered Aboriginal Parties in field investigations and cultural and heritage assessments to provide cultural monitoring
• meetings with Local Aboriginal Land Councils in the region and the participation of First Nations groups and Registered Aboriginal Parties in field investigations and cultural and heritage assessments to provide cultural monitoring
• targeted engagements with relevant local councils, recreational clubs, specific water user groups, including the Hunter Valley Water Users Association and Tidal Pool Users group, and local industry through regional business forums
• the establishment of community and industry reference groups.

The feedback received will help inform the future development of the project and is an important part of the final business case to be submitted to Infrastructure NSW.

Reference groups

In 2023, the Water Group established three reference groups including:

• a council stakeholder reference group
• an industry reference group
• a community reference group.

The purpose of these groups is to provide insights from a local council, community and industry perspective to help inform key aspects of the project.

Find out more

Future engagement

Engagement on the project is ongoing, and both partner agencies will continue to provide opportunities for local communities and stakeholders, including Traditional Owners and First Nations communities, to have their say on the project as it progresses.

Upcoming public engagement opportunities will be highlighted here and on the Water Group’s have your say page.

For more information about engagement opportunities specific to Hunter Water’s proposed work at Paterson and the pipeline between Paterson and Maitland visit Hunter Water’s website.