The decision to lift a pumping restriction at a later time has come at a multi-million dollar cost to the region, a Namoi Water representative has said.
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Namoi Water executive officer Jon-Maree Baker said the state government's decision to lift the restriction for licence holders to pump from the upper and lower Namoi rivers was a $32 million loss to the region.
"That water provides recovery for our community, once we'd met that requirement of the 70GL, that would've provided the opportunity for farmers to grow their winter crop which is cash," Ms Baker said.
"Certainly that instant cash injection would make a significant change in economic activity and jobs and recreational spending."
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It comes after farmers expressed their disappointment at the late restriction lift, saying the water had all gone downstream and there was nothing left to pump.
Ms Baker said at the time that the critical needs had been met after days worth of rain, and that continuing the embargo was done "unnecessarily".
Gunnedah mayor Jamie Chaffey told the Namoi Valley Independent that it was a "considerable loss".
"On behalf of the Gunnedah shire, I'm very disappointed about that loss and that opportunity to access that water that is the life bud of our community," Cr Chaffey said.
"All industries within the shire, whether they be farming, processing, or mining, rely on water so the fact that this opportunity has been missed is a considerable loss for employment opportunities [and] for the benefit to our businesses ... to help them to recover from the devastating effects over this prolonged drought period."
Cr Chaffey said his personal view was that "things need to change".
"If the water sharing plan is outdated, and not adequate to be flexible enough to support our community, then it's in drastic need of review," he said.
"As that water sharing plan flows into the Murray-Darling Basin plan, if that document is not flexible enough to support our community in this devastating drought conditions, then it also must be urgently reviewed and changes made to ensure that we can remain a strong and vibrant community."
More information about the restriction can be found at www.industry.nsw.gov.au/water/allocations-availability/temporary-water-restrictions
Jessica Worboys
Education and youth reporter at the Northern Daily Leader. Get in touch via jessica.worboys@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Education and youth reporter at the Northern Daily Leader. Get in touch via jessica.worboys@austcommunitymedia.com.au
