The old railway bridge across the Boorowa River.
In the Hilltops Council region, two major infrastructure proposals are under discussion: a 27-kilometre rail trail linking Boorowa to Galong, and a vital potable water pipeline from Harden to Boorowa.
The rail trail offers potential for tourism and recreation, while the pipeline addresses a long-standing crisis in access to safe drinking water—a basic human right that Boorowa residents have been denied for decades.
Both projects will come from different pots of money, but that hasn’t stopped residents displaying their displeasure at the idea of a rail trail being delivered first and the trail requiring yearly maintenance in the order of tens of thousands of dollars.
The Boorowa-Galong Rail Trail concept aims to convert a disused railway corridor into a shared path for walking, cycling, and mobility devices. A development plan completed in recent years estimates the total project cost at approximately $11.5 million (excluding GST), with annual operations and maintenance around $50,000. Depreciation for such infrastructure typically ranges from 2-5% annually on capital assets, equating to roughly $230,000–$575,000 per year over a 20–50-year lifespan, though specific figures depend on materials and usage.
The project remains at the concept stage but has seen a groundswell of support come for a small committee with the Galong community even chipping in funds from the Council’s Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA) with Graymont, the owner of the limestone mine at Galong.
Hilltops Council launched community consultation in January 2026, inviting feedback on opportunities like tourism growth and heritage preservation, as well as challenges including development and maintenance costs, land use, privacy, and biosecurity. Submissions will close on 27 February 2026, and no decision has been made on proceeding, although it’s obvious momentum is building.
Earlier progress includes a feasibility study, environmental assessments, and the formation of an oversight committee. Funding has involved community efforts, council allocations (including discretionary funds), and preliminary support, but full construction would require major grants from state and federal sources. No firm construction timeline exists, though optimistic scenarios suggest it could begin within a couple of years if funding is secured.
In comparison, the Harden-to-Boorowa potable water pipeline is essential for delivering reliable, high-quality water from Goldenfields Water County Council, which already supplies towns like Jugiong, Harden, Young, and Galong.
Boorowa’s water supply has been problematic for over 50 years, with issues including hardness, dissolved solids, and treatment failures leading to boil water alerts. A notable incident in early 2024 saw a nearly month-long alert after heavy rains compromised the local treatment plant, forcing residents to rely on bottled water or boiling.
The pipeline, is estimated to cost between $50 million and $70 million. Annual maintenance could be $500,000–$1million, with depreciation at 1–2% annually ($500,000–$1.4 million) over a typical 50–100-year asset life for water infrastructure. Goldenfields Water is positioned to operate the supply but has indicated it cannot contribute significantly to construction funding. Ownership and management post-completion would likely involve Hilltops Council in partnership with Goldenfields, with property owners facing connection fees. Connection fees yet to be disclosed and if the Mandamah scheme is anything to go by, could be tens of thousands of dollars unless subsidised by the state.
The project has been Council’s preferred option since at least 2017.
Investigations, designs, and costing are ongoing, with the current phase due for completion by November 2025. But the project is stalling. Preparatory work, including geotechnical studies, has received state and council funding, but full construction funding from higher governments is still required. The Water Minister has not given a firm stance on even funding the project. No confirmed start date for building has been announced, and the multi-year timeline means delivery remains uncertain.
This contrast in progress is stark. The rail trail advances through community consultation and planning, yet the water pipeline—despite repeated crises—lacks the urgency it demands by Council. Boil water alerts are not minor inconveniences; they pose health risks, disrupt lives, and highlight systemic neglect. Access to potable water is a fundamental human right, yet Boorowa continues to face unreliable supplies while tourism-focused projects move forward more visibly. Being part of the forcibly merged larger Hilltops Council is not providing any certainty. In fact it just further highlights the lack of maintenance and renewal across the expanded area.
The NSW Government must act decisively. Repeated treatment failures and prolonged alerts demand immediate commitment to the full funding needed for the pipeline—no more delays or incremental studies. Residents should not have to choose between basic necessities and recreational amenities. Prioritising safe water is non-negotiable.
Community views, particularly in local Facebook groups, show divided opinions on the rail trail. Some support its economic potential for cafes, visitors, and regional benefits. Many of the people supporting it do not live in the Council area, while others argue resources should first fix water issues, calling the trail a lower priority that might only benefit limited interests.
For the pipeline, sentiment is strongly in favour, with frustration over slow progress and repeated calls for faster action to end decades of substandard water quality.
Hilltops Council faces a clear choice: leisure can follow; survival cannot wait.
Boorowa deserves urgent resolution on water security from its leaders and the state government.
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