The Rudd Government will provide $700,000 to build a treatment plant to improve water quality for the New South Wales village of Bellbrook.

Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong, said today the funding delivered on an election commitment for the village, located 50 kilometres west of Kempsey on the New South Wales mid-north coast.

“Our long-term plan Water for the Future aims to secure our water supplies, use water wisely, tackle climate change and support healthy rivers,” Senator Wong said.

“Projects like the new Bellbrook water treatment plant play an important role in helping deliver on these priorities.

“We will provide $700,000 to construct a water treatment plant at Bellbrook, to provide a safe and secure water supply.

“When completed, the new treatment plant will reduce the overall costs of providing water supplies to Bellbrook and replace the need to cart water.”

The Bellbrook water supply has been prone to quality problems including heavy metal contamination over a number of years, resulting in disruption to residents. At times, water must be trucked in from Kempsey.

Funding for the new treatment plant is being provided under the National Water Security Plan for Cities and Towns, a $254.8 million component of the $12.9 billion ten-year plan Water for the Future.