Nymboida sale secures regions’ water supply

Published on 08 September 2021

Nymboida Power Station Building.jpg

Essential Energy and Clarence Valley Council have today announced reaching agreement for the transfer of ownership of the disused Nymboida Hydro Power Scheme and associated water licences. Both parties, as well as the Coffs Harbour City Council, have been working collaboratively to secure the sale.
 
Executive Manager Engineering for Essential Energy, Luke Jenner, said of the sale: “We’re really pleased to have reached this positive outcome with Clarence Valley Council. It’s a positive outcome for all involved.”
 
“We have been working together with both Clarence Valley Council and Coffs Harbour City Council throughout this period and would like to thank both Councils for their collaborative approach.”
 
Clarence Valley Council General Manager Ashley Lindsay said the purchase of the major infrastructure asset secured the future water supply for the Clarence Valley.
 
“Having been built by the Clarence River County Council in the 1920s, this facility is coming back to us with the completion of this sale,” Mr Lindsay said.
 
“It also means we can explore options to use the assets in ways that better help our community and support our overall water supply strategy.”
 
Coffs Harbour City Council (CHCC) General Manager Steve McGrath said CHCC sees this achievement as an essential step in concluding security for the Coffs Harbour City and CVC water supplies.
 
“CHCC look forward to working with Clarence Valley Council to formalise the governance arrangements around the Regional Water Supply Scheme through the appropriate treatment and recognition of the applicable water supply assets involved in the Nymboida Power Station and licences,” he said.
 
The sales process was conducted between Essential Energy, Clarence Valley Council and Coffs Harbour City Council, with external consultants engaged to provide independent valuations and inform a mutually reasonable price. 

Release ends
8 September 2021
 

Background

  • Nymboida Hydro Scheme (Nymboida) is a legacy hydro generation scheme located approximately 35kms west of Grafton. 
  • The power station was built by Clarence River County Council between 1924 and 1926. Essential Energy acquired the asset through predecessor organisations.
  • As part of Clarence Valley Council and Coffs Harbour City Council Regional Water Supply scheme, the councils extract water from the Nymboida River by partly using the Nymboida Power Station assets and licences.
  • The Nymboida Power Station provides water supply into the 30,000ML Shannon Creek Dam, which in turn supplies townships in the Clarence Valley and Coffs Harbour regions.

 
Essential Energy media contact: Melanie Pope, PR & Community Manager, 0418 160 031

Clarence Valley media contact: Kath Kermode, Communications Officer 0429 104 118

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