Strategy to secure Macquarie-Castlereagh’s water future open for feedback

The draft Macquarie-Castlereagh Regional Water Strategy is now on public display, and the community is invited to have its say on options to deliver more secure, safe and reliable water for the region – spanning from Oberon, Bathurst and Orange in the east, to Dubbo Narromine and Nyngan in the west – for the next 20 years and beyond.

Executive Director Water Strategy and Policy for the NSW Department of Planning and Environment, Kaia Hodge, said it is the second time the strategy has been on exhibition, giving the community another opportunity to provide feedback before 1 November.

“We’ve refined the Strategy after consulting with the community, including Aboriginal stakeholders, local councils, businesses, industry, environmental groups and residents,” Ms Hodge said.

“The result is a shortlist of options that will better prepare the region for future droughts, keeping the water needs of the community, agriculture, industry and the environment front of mind.

“We know water security is a major concern, particularly for the growing cities of Bathurst, Orange and Dubbo as we face a drier and more variable climate and the potential for longer and more extreme droughts.

“The rivers and the life they support are also culturally important to Aboriginal people, who have been caretakers of this region for over 60,000 years. Addressing access to water for First Nations is a priority in the strategy.

“We also know the Macquarie-Castlereagh is an agricultural, mining and tourism hub, employing the largest section of the workforce and significantly contributing to the region’s $13.5 billion per year economy.

“It’s also home to the internationally recognised Ramsar-listed Macquarie Marshes, which provide habitat for rare, endangered and threatened animal and plant species.

“Water, and the way we manage it, is key to the health and viability of both.

“That’s why we’re putting forward a mix of infrastructure and non-infrastructure solutions to best support communities, industry and the environment and deliver a more secure water future for the region.”

The Strategy is being developed alongside several major infrastructure business cases, including the Nyngan to Cobar Pipeline Project and the Macquarie-Wambuul Water Security Scheme. The proposed shortlisted options in the Strategy will work in tandem with any future infrastructure projects if, and when, they are progressed.

Key actions in the Strategy include:

• creating water savings through the changed operation of regulated effluent creeks in the lower part of the Macquarie
• investigating and carrying out further comparative analysis on replacing the ageing and damaged Gin Gin weir
• using flood mitigation storage in Burrendong Dam to increase water supply
• a regional pipeline connecting Dubbo to Nyngan and other towns
• innovative water supply options such as stormwater harvesting, recycled water and managed aquifer recharge
• improving the way we manage groundwater resources
• supporting Aboriginal people to be more involved in water management by sharing their traditional knowledge and contributing to decision making
• improving fish passage and water quality, and riparian habitat restoration

“There is no single solution when it comes to delivering water security and effectively managing this

precious resource as we face more challenges than ever before,” Ms Hodge said.

“This is a Strategy for the whole of Macquarie-Castlereagh, which is why we want everyone to have their say to help us finalise it.”

The Strategy and shortlisted options will be display until 1 November 2022.

Due to recent flooding in the area public meetings have been postponed until further notice – please visit our website for the most up to date information: Draft Macquarie-Castlereagh Regional Water Strategy.