PORT Macquarie-Hastings Council has deferred multiple water and wastewater infrastructure projects following the adoption of the Quarterly Budget Review Statement and the Operational Plan First Quarter Status Report for 2024-2025.

The decision was made at Council’s 14 November ordinary meeting, aimed at addressing budgetary constraints and strategic planning considerations.

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Trunk mains upgrades have been deferred in Chalmers Street, the Sancrox residential area, Yarramundi Road, and Yippin Creek (Northern Trunk Mains).

Maintenance work has been deferred at Transit Hill Reservoir, including instrumentation and pipework renewal.

Work on the trunk main linking Bonny Hills to Kew (Area 15) Reservoir has also been put on hold.

Some wastewater infrastructure projects were also deferred.

These included rising mains renewal works at Camden Haven sewer pump stations (SPS) #11 and #15, and catchment relining and investigations at Camden Haven SPS #23 and Port Macquarie SPS #71.

Pump station upgrades at Port Macquarie SPS #5 and #6, and Wauchope SPS #1 have also been postponed.

The Council has directed the Chief Executive Officer to provide a comprehensive briefing by February 2025.

This will include proposed timelines for the deferred projects, analysis of impacts on strategic growth, and alternative solutions to progress these critical initiatives.

Addressing the Chamber, Councillor Rachel Sheppard noted the “incredibly tight situation” Council is in financially.

“We have big decisions ahead of us and it is really important that we are seeking as much as possible to keep across the details,” she said.

By Emily GRAHAM