Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo dam plan revealed
Recycled water from Dubbo’s sewerage treatment plant is set to be stored in a new 10 megalitre dam planned to help shore up water supplies for Taronga Western Plains Zoo during droughts.
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Taronga Western Plains Zoo has sought Dubbo Regional Council approval to build a new $440,000 dam aimed at providing a stable source of water for the tourism icon during future droughts.
If approved, the dam would be located on a 7.5 hectare block of vacant land on Obley Road, near the zoo.
A development application lodged with council and prepared by consulting firm Barnson, indicates the dam will be filled with recycled water from the Dubbo Sewerage Treatment Plant.
The dam would have the capacity to store nine to 10 megalitres of water, Barnson’s senior town planner, Jack Massey, said in a statement of environmental effects which accompanied the development application.
“This water is likely to support irrigation and maintenance of moats and wading pools,” Mr Massey said.
“It is also hoped that cost savings will occur by substituting potable water with the recycled water.”
Mr Massey said an underground pipeline would be built to transfer water from the dam to existing pipes which currently service the zoo.
“An existing underground water pipeline servicing the zoo from the river shall be decommissioned,” he said.
The dam has been designed to serve as a backup water source for the zoo during droughts.
Mr Massey said existing grass and trees at the proposed dam location meant the new structure would probably not be visible from surrounding properties or Obley Road.
The application to build the dam is currently being assessed by Dubbo Regional Council.
A request to comment on the proposal and source of funding for the dam was declined by Taronga Western Plains Zoo.
“The consultation with council is still ongoing with regards to this project so we aren’t in a position to comment on it at this present time,” a spokeswoman said.