NSW drought: It’s time to turn on the cashflow

Winton farmer Russell Webb says it is too late to do anything to combat this drought but is adamant the state and federal government must create better water infrastructure to give the farmers of the future a chance.

Russell Webb, 65, used to have cattle, sheep and crops on his property 20km west of Tamworth but luckily cut back at the start of the drought.

“We have to be careful with our water – people are having to decide with they risk keeping their stocks up in hope that rain is around the corner or destocking at a bad price,” he said.

“If it goes the wrong way both options could ruin a farm and there are a lot of people making those hard decisions.”

He added, it was too late to do anything to combat this drought but is adamant the state and federal government must create better water infrastructure to give the farmers of the future a chance.

Farmer Russell Webb with his sheep dog Pat on his Winton farm. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“Water is vital. It is the only ingredient we all need to live. We need to look at how long dams and other infrastructure has been built or fixed,” he said.

“Dams around the country are struggling to keep up with the demand and population growth, it is even happening in Sydney.

“Our dam in Tamworth was upgraded a little while ago, and luckily we had rain in October. If we didn’t have that the town would be out of water.

Since 2000, Tamworth has seen massive growth and development with people flooding to live in the regional town.

Manufacturers, agriculture and abattoirs have held up the town’s economy, but have slown down in the last two years.

Operator for The Pub Group, which looks after four hotels in Tamworth, Craig Power said the retail and hospitality industry were struggling as a result.

“The drought gets us indirectly, in the last 15 years we have had strong growth but if any of the major injuries put off staff it would be serious, serious problem,” he said.

“We’re are starting to notice a change in customers, all the developments have slowed down too, a lot of regular customers are speaking about they’re watching their spending and expenses. If 1000 workers are let go from businesses around the area there were be a dramatic effect on the amount of money spent in town.”

Another suggestion which has been floated, is the closing of the Tamworth Country Music Festival to stop the influx of tourists using precious water resources.

But Mr Power is not convinced this would work.

“It is a double-edged sword that one, so many businesses need the festival as it provides vital spending and dollars,” he said.

IT’S TIME TO TURN ON THE CASHFLOW

A desperate plan to secure Tamworth’s water supply is being scrutinised by the federal government after the state requested an urgent redirection of funds.

NSW Water Minister Melinda Pavey this week wrote to Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack urging him to step in and help. Ms Pavey asked for more than half of the $75 million slated for a major upgrade of the Dungowan Dam near Tamworth to be redirected to build a pipeline from Chaffey Dam to the local community.

It comes after The Daily Telegraph revealed Tamworth and other major regional NSW centres including Dubbo, Orange and Scone were at risk of running out of water within a year if dry conditions continue and nothing is done to help rectify the dire situation.

In her letter, Ms Pavey said the current drought — which is impacting 97 per cent of the state — has had a significant impact on the water supply for both industry and households in Tamworth­.

Farmer Russell Webb on his Winton farm. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“Redirecting the $75 million commitment … to progress water infrastructure in the Peel Valley will deliver significant water security benefits for the region,” she said.

Ms Pavey (pictured) said that with $38.5 million the state could construct the new pipeline, a move that should be supported by the federal government as it has already funded similar town water projects in Queensland and South Australia­.

A spokeswoman for Mr McCormack said that the Commonwealth was committed to working with the NSW government to build the water infrastructure that     “best meets the state’s needs”.

“The Australian government has been advised that the NSW government, through Water NSW, will be formally requesting funding initially allocated to the Dungowan Dam project be redirected to other initiatives, including towards a pipeline from Chaffey Dam to Dungowan Village,” the spokeswoman said. “The Australian government will consider this request once full details of the proposed pipeline are received.”

She said any decision to redirect the funding would need to take into account the National Water Infrastructure Development Fund guidelines.

The Telegraph reported yesterday that dam storage levels in regional NSW have dropped 30 per cent in the past 18 months in the worst drought on record, leaving authorities scrambling to develop emergency water sources.

The state government has taken action to sure up water supplies, committing $15 million to cart water to areas such as Murrurundi, Guyra, Menindee, Pooncarie and Tibooburra.