Significant work for water security

Next Wednesday’s ordinary council meeting will be an important one for our shire. We will formally swear in our new councillor, Mark Strahle, and I look forward to welcoming him to the table. It is a solid agenda, with a number of items that continue to move our work forward across infrastructure, services and community priorities.

Beyond the council chamber, a significant amount of work is underway on one of the most important issues facing our region, water security.

I am currently chairing a group of seven councils known as the Triple R Water Security Alliance. This alliance brings together councils including Narrabri Shire, Gunnedah Shire, Liverpool Plains Shire, Walgett Shire, Brewarrina Shire, Bourke Shire and Central Darling Shire. We have come together for a very clear reason, to ensure that water security for our communities, farms and industries is not undermined by decisions or developments occurring to the east of us.

Many of you will be aware of the ongoing discussions around a proposed pipeline that would take water from Keepit Dam and/or Split Rock Dam to supply Tamworth during drought times. This raises real concern about water being taken from our Namoi supply to bolster Tamworth’s industries and residents, and I have heard clearly from many in our community who are deeply uncomfortable with that prospect.

Keepit Dam was built on the Namoi River system to support communities, agriculture and economic activity on this side of the range. It underpins the viability of our region. Any proposal that alters how that water is used must be carefully examined and, from our perspective, strongly challenged.

The seven councils are meeting regularly, sharing information and coordinating advocacy. This is about ensuring decisions are made with a full understanding of downstream impacts and that regional communities like ours are not disadvantaged.

This will be a significant issue heading into next year’s state election. Our councils will be reminding politicians and bureaucrats that our towns, villages, businesses and farms championed and helped create the Keepit and Split Rock Dams, and we must retain full use of that water.

That water supports our town supply, irrigates our growing horticultural sector, underpins recreation and social activity, and plays a critical role in the health of the Namoi River system. These are fundamental to the sustainability of our region. We cannot sit idly by while water is taken from our part of the world simply because another regional centre has not secured its water needs over the past couple of decades.

At the same time, we continue to advocate for fairer funding for rural and regional councils.

Narrabri Shire Council is supporting a campaign led by the Country Mayors Association to restore Federal Assistance Grants to one percent of the Commonwealth tax take. Over time, this funding has declined to around 0.53 percent, placing increasing pressure on councils to maintain roads, bridges and essential infrastructure across large areas with limited resources. Together with other country councils I have write to the prime minister, the federal treasurer, opposition leader and other politicians to highlight the importance of investing in our rural communities.

For a shire like ours, which contributes significantly through agriculture and industry, it is reasonable to expect a fairer share of that funding to be returned to support our communities.

On a more local note, there is plenty happening across the shire in the coming weeks.

NarraBRIGHT is on this Friday night, and I encourage everyone to come into Narrabri and experience what continues to be one of our standout community events. With light installations, live music, food vendors and family friendly activities spread across the CBD and Creek precinct, it is shaping up to be a great night for all ages. I look forward to catching up with you at this event.

There is also a strong lineup of school holiday activities across the shire, including creative workshops, youth events, library programs and the Questacon Science Circus. These activities are about making the holidays accessible, affordable and enjoyable for local families.

Our libraries are also launching a new Community Story Circle program, bringing people together through storytelling and shared experiences across generations, grounded in the traditions of the Gamilaraay people. It is a valuable initiative that supports connection, literacy and cultural understanding.

Finally, nominations are now open for the Volunteer of the Year Award. This is an opportunity to recognise those who give their time across clubs, schools, charities and community groups. I encourage everyone to take a few minutes to nominate someone who makes a difference in our shire.