Riverina Water County Council facts for kids
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| Agency overview | |
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| Formed | 2 May 1997 |
| Headquarters | Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia |
| Employees | 92 |
| Annual budget | $20 M |
| Agency executives |
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The Riverina Water County Council is a special kind of local government group in New South Wales, Australia. Its main job is to make sure people in certain areas have clean, safe drinking water delivered right to their homes and businesses. It works under rules set by the Local Government Act of 1993.
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What is a County Council?
A county council is a bit different from a regular city or shire council. Sometimes, a big job like supplying water or electricity is too much for just one local council to handle. So, several councils can team up to form a "county council." This new council then focuses only on that one big job for all the areas involved. Riverina Water County Council is an example of this, focusing on water supply for its member areas.
History of Riverina Water
Early Beginnings: Southern Riverina County Council
The story of Riverina Water began in 1938. Back then, it was called the Southern Riverina County Council. Its first mission was to bring piped water to towns in the Shires of Lockhart, Kyeamba, Mitchell, and Culcairn. This was a big step, as it meant people no longer had to rely on wells or rainwater tanks alone.
Growing Service Areas
As years passed, more areas joined the council. In 1945, the Shires of Urana and Holbrook, along with the town of Wagga Wagga, became part of the Southern Riverina County Council. This meant even more people got access to reliable water.
From Water and Electricity to Just Water
For many years, from 1942 to 1995, the Southern Riverina County Council did more than just supply water. It was also in charge of distributing electricity to homes and businesses in the Southern Riverina area. However, in 1995, a new company called Great Southern Energy was formed to take over the electricity part. This allowed the council to focus entirely on its most important job: providing water. The council then became known as Riverina Water County Council, focusing solely on water services.
Who Riverina Water Serves Today
Today, Riverina Water County Council provides drinking water to several important areas. These include the entire City of Wagga Wagga, most of the Greater Hume Shire, all of the Lockhart Shire, and a part of the Federation Council. This means thousands of homes, schools, and businesses rely on Riverina Water for their daily water needs.
How Riverina Water is Managed
Riverina Water County Council is managed by a group of people who represent the different areas it serves. These representatives are often councillors from the local councils in Wagga Wagga, Greater Hume, Lockhart, and Federation Council. They work together to make important decisions about water quality, supply, and future plans. For example, as of August 2025, Greg Verdon from Lockhart Shire Council is the Chairperson, leading the council's meetings and work. Other councillors like Yvonne Braid, Paul Funnell, Vanessa Keenan, Tim Koschel, and Mayor Greg Conkey from Wagga Wagga City Council, along with representatives from Federation Council and Greater Hume Shire Council, also play key roles.
