The dream of breathing new life into Yarrie Lake and establishing artesian bore baths to attract tourism to Narrabri and Wee Waa has been in the pipeline for a while but there’s a fresh push to see the project proceed.

Wee Waa Chamber of Commerce vice-president John Tully said an application will be submitted for a grant through the Murray–Darling Basin Economic Development Program, the grants on offer are up to $450,000.

Mr Tully pitched the idea to apply for the grant money and use it to drill a test bore at Yarrie Lake, to see if there is water there that can be used to establish bore baths.

He proposed the idea at a meeting in Wee Waa last year and it was widely supported with the view that the bore baths would attract tourists, promote spending in the region and also provide social and mental health benefits for local residents.

“We (the project committee) have permission from the Yarrie Lake Trust to drill a test bore.

“Drilling would happen to a maximum depth of 400 metres to hopefully tap into the warm bore water of the Great Artesian Basin,” said Mr Tully.

“The Department of Primary Industries does not see the lake as a fish habitat and have no issue with the project.”

Mr Tully was keen to stress that if there was “any risk” to landholders the project would not proceed.

“If there is no water found or the pressure is not great enough to get it close to the surface or the water quality puts any landholders’ property in jeopardy – the project will be terminated.”

Mr Tully said studies and consultation will be undertaken and a 150ML GAB licence would be sought allowing 150 days of flow over the cooler months.

“As an incorporated entity, Narrabri Chamber of Commerce, with help from members of the Wee Waa Chamber will fill out application for grant monies,” said Mr Tully.

“The $80,000 raised in the Bore Fundraiser will be used as in kind for any further works. This is great progress but there’s still a way to go.”

Wee Waa Chamber of Commerce said that the bore would only be for ‘top up’ purposes, rain events are what will hopefully fill the lake and the idea is that the bore will assist with maintaining its capacity for longer term use.

Member for Barwon Roy Butler has showed his support for the project and visited Yarrie Lake late last year.

“I’ve been publicly supporting state and local government getting involved in making Yarrie Lake a centre-piece that benefits communities from all around this area,” said Mr Butler.

“There’s a lot of people around here who have very fond memories of Yarrie Lake. One of the things we should be focused on is making our communities good places to live.

“Something like Yarrie Lake and the upgrading of Yarrie Lake so that it’s a more sustainable feature within the community that’s there more of the year and more often, would help to make our communities even better places to live.”

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