Kiama Council has announced more than $300,000 worth of works and maintenance will be conducted on the Municipality’s 80 kilometre stormwater network in 2017/18.
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Director for finance, corporate and commercial services, Kerry McMurray, said the works and maintenance were a long-term investment in a critical infrastructure for the community.
“Our stormwater network consists of 3900 storm water pits as well as many more pipes, channels and litter traps,” Mr McMurray said.
“In all our stormwater system would cost more than $34 million to replace, making it one of our largest and most important assets.”
“Stormwater infrastructure goes unnoticed until it stops working, when it can affect lives and property.”
Mr McMurray said the $300,000 investment in the stormwater system had been made possible, in part, through the introduction of a dedicated stormwater management charge.
“Ratepayers will have noticed the stormwater management charge as part of their rates starting in 2017/18. The revenue this provides goes straight into managing stormwater assets.”
Mr McMurray said the charge would provide around $214,000 towards the stormwater network in 2017/18, with the remainder sourced from general revenue.
“While the stormwater charge will not fund all the work we need to do to keep our infrastructure in working order, it does provide a funding base in the long term.”
The stormwater management charge is part of Kiama Council’s Long Term Financial Plan developed to meet the NSW Government’s Fit for the Future requirements.