2019 Wee Waa High School captain Emily Shearin made the opening speech at last Friday’s water meeting in Wee Waa where the community overwhelmingly rejected the Department of Industry and Water’s proposed changes to the water sharing plan arrangements in the upper and lower Namoi. More than 300 people including farmers, business owners, contractors, residents and students stood up for the town’s future by attending the meeting but it was the youth of the district who really struck a chord with the crowd. While many country towns are struggling to attract young people, a number of young Wee Waarians spoke out about their desire to stay in the area and work in the agricultural industry including Emily whose outstanding speech is below:
Good morning and welcome, my name is Emily Shearin, I have just completed year 12 as the school captain of the local high school.
As a young person and a non-irrigator, it may be surprising that I am concerned with the various issues that will be discussed today.
However, it is my strong passion for the agricultural industry and our local community that has brought me here today.
After studying water management as part of my HSC studies in Agriculture, I gained an interest in exploring the legislation that will affect my community.
I learnt about the Water Sharing Plan and its vast impacts on the community as a whole.
Not only the irrigators in this valley are affected, but also the local businesses and contractors that are heavily reliant on agriculture as well as local services.
Taking this into consideration, our schools are impacted by a lack of revenue in the community, many programs at the high school are only available due to community support.
Therefore, a decrease in productive water will reduce the local economy and hence, less support is provided for school programs such as the robotics team or show team.
Our hospital is also reliant on the local economy and is an indirect stakeholder of the water sharing plan.
Employment opportunities in these areas will be threatened considerably if changes are not made promptly.
These community members that are so heavily impacted by government policy are my future employers and this community is my future workplace.
Government policy will determine the future of many young people with aspirations of entering the agricultural industry.
The removal of productive water or a lack of access creates an uncertainty for my future in this industry.
My aspirations are to become a rural veterinarian and give back to a community that has given me ample opportunities.
But how can I pursue this dream and become an advocate for youth in agriculture without the certainty of water security in Wee Waa?
As a young person with dreams of entering the Ag industry I challenge the government to consult with all stakeholders of this policy.
Look beyond the surface, consult with retailers, employers and employees of businesses and contractors who are all heavily reliant on productive water and expenditure in the community.
Hear the concerns of our farmers who are the core of Wee Waa, listen to their suggestions and hold up your responsibilities to the community.
Allow a plentiful future for myself and other young people with dreams of entering this industry.
I would like to welcome the committee to our little town. Thank you for giving people like me and our community the chance to demonstrate our concerns and the opportunity to listen to your end of the proposal.
I hope that the issues raised at Narrabri can be answered today and provide a more clear understanding of what my future, as a young person with a passion for agriculture will look like.
Let me leave you with this pondering thought, it is said that when it does rain, Wee Waa will return to the vibrant and productive community it was as we have the most progressive, sustainable and technologically advanced producers in the world.
But with this uncertainty of the future and removal of productive water from our valley, in a sense, there will be a permanent drought forced on the community. So how does a community recover?
Namoi Water is urging community members to make a submission to the DPI by this Wednesday November 20 so the NSW Government knows the draft plan is ‘not acceptable’ in its current form. Submissions can be made by clicking here.
