Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall announced the loan funds last week, to be used to build and install up to 12 kilometres of new water supply lines and mains to service hydrants and fire hose points across the 1000 hectare grounds of the Copeton Park.

Mr Marshall said the funds would also provide for new storage tanks and plumbing that would directly supply water for fire fighting to standpoints at the park.

Mr Marshall’s announcement comes just as the Copeton Waters State Park has been named the best NSW holiday inland park with more than 100 camping sites.

“That state award for excellence was announced this week by the Caravan and Camping Industry Association and together with the news of this funding adds kudos to the reputation Copeton Waters has among the industry and the tourists and holiday-makers who visit and stay there,” Mr Marshall said.

“The park, under manager David Allan, is achieving great success and improving and upgrading its facilities progressively, and we’re seeing the results of that in outstanding visitor numbers.

“It has had a 20 per cent increase in occupancy rates over the past year or so and its winter trade figures have shown a 50 per cent increase in the numbers who go there in the past two years.”

Mr Marshall said that the $1.66 million funding will give a boost to park business, and means a treated water supply management system that is dedicated and specifically for fire fighting if needed, separate to the water supply for irrigation and camping and domestic needs in the park.

The new water supply infrastructure will service the entire park with between six and eight kilometres of new mains and another three to four kilometres of service lanes to link with hydrants and fire hoses.

Mr Marshall said that the Copeton Waters funding comes under the NSW Public Reserves Management Fund Program.