Parliamentary water inquiry in Narrabri, Bourke this week

The Committee on Investment, Industry and Regional Development is travelling to Narrabri and Bourke this week as part of its inquiry into the impacts of the Water Amendment (Restoring Our Rivers) Act (Cth) 2023 on regional communities in NSW.

The committee is expected hear about how the 2023 changes to water management policy in the Murray-Darling Basin have impacted the state’s regional communities, businesses, and the environment.

A hearing will be held on Thursday afternoon, October 19, at The Crossing Theatre before heading to Bourke on Friday. Mayor Darrell Tiemens, deputy mayor Brett Nolan and Cr Ethan Towns are scheduled to appear first, early in the afternoon.

Michael Murray, general manager of Cotton Australia, Mick Coffey, executive officer of Namoi Water, and representatives of Gwydir Valley Irrigators’ Association are also scheduled to address the hearing.

Committee chair and Member for Barwon Roy Butler noted the importance of travelling to the northern Basin.

“The Murray-Darling Basin is a large and varied ecosystem which covers most of regional NSW. During the committee’s work to date, we have visited and spoken to communities in the south and west of the state who made it clear that water buybacks and rules-based changes have different impacts in different locations,” Mr Butler said.

“Communities in the northern Basin have a unique perspective, given their position in the river system. The public hearings in Narrabri and Bourke are an important way for the committee to hear directly from people in these regions, and will ensure that the report’s recommendations reflect the diversity of experiences across NSW.”

The committee will hold further public hearings later in the year and expects to table its final report in early 2026.