Newry Chamber has welcomed the news that Newry is to get a new innovative wastewater pilot scheme that will release urgently needed capacity to free up development across the city over the next 5-10 years.
Infrastructure Minister, Liz Kimmins MLA announced the scheme this week which represents potential investment by NI Water and the Department of up to £25 million.
Edwina Flynn, President of Newry Chamber said:
“Back in May, Newry Chamber met with Minister Kimmins and NI Water to highlight the critical need for a wastewater strategy that addressed both immediate capacity constraints and longer-term infrastructure investment, particularly the upgrade of the Greenbank treatment plant.”
“The Minister has listened to Newry Chamber’s strong lobby on this issue, worked with NI Water and engaged with some of our members within this sector, to come up with an innovative 21st Century solution that will free up capacity for development over the next 5-10 years while funding solutions can be found for a major upgrade to the treatment plant.”
“This is welcome news at a crucial time for Newry and will allow commercial and housing developments that have been at a standstill until wastewater capacity could be found, to go ahead and will open up the area for development over the next 5-10 years at a time when our city is entering a period of real transformation.”
Newry Chamber CEO, Michael Savage added:
“Over the last 18 months Newry Chamber has been lobbying hard to address the infrastructure deficit across our city, particularly across our wastewater treatment network. At least 29 major schemes have been in obeyance due to lack of capacity in the system.”
“This new innovative approach from NI Water and the Department can be a gamechanger for our region over the next decade, allowing construction to proceed while we all collaborate to find funding solutions for the major upgrade of the Newry Treatment Works.”
“The Chamber has engaged with Minister Kimmins on this issue and from day one she has recognised the need for innovation in Newry and has worked with NI Water to deliver this pilot for our city.”
“We commend Minister Kimmins for her swift action on this issue and thank NI Water for engaging with the Chamber and our members within this sector to find a solution that meets our needs over the next 5-10 years.”
“Newry Chamber will be hosting a special Wastewater Seminar in September that will include a presentation from NI Water outlining how the pilot scheme provides much needed network capacity for development across our city and we will be encouraging developers and investors to attend this event. Details will be announced in the coming weeks.”
“While this is welcome news for Newry, the need remains to carry out a major upgrade of the wastewater treatment plant at Greenbank and Newry Chamber will continue to lobby across these islands to find a funding solution that delivers the significant enhancements required to provide Newry with a 21st Century wastewater network.”