Submissions close next week for Macquarie water

There is only one week left to have your say on the draft Macquarie-Castlereagh Regional Water Strategy.

The strategy provides a roadmap for how water will be managed along the Castlereagh and Macquarie Rivers over the next 20-40 years.

This includes a range of infrastructure and non-infrastructure options that are designed to improve water security and help drought proof water supply while also protecting the important environmental and cultural assets of the Macquarie region.

Director Regional Water Strategies Shagofta Ali said there had been strong interest from the community over the last few weeks.

“We’ve held two webinars and spoken to dozens of people across the catchment in person, online, via email and over the phone so I’m confident we will get some great feedback,” she said.

“We extended the consultation process by two weeks to Friday 18 November following extensive flooding, giving locals six and half weeks to share their views.

“The Macquarie is one of the most productive agricultural regions in the country supporting more than 200,000 people, with the population heavily reliant on primary industries, so we really want to hear from farmers.

“We also want submissions from First Nations people because we recognise water is central to their culture and spiritual identity, as well as their livelihoods.

“I have also encouraged Local Councils to contribute because they’re at the grassroots level and have their fingers on the pulse when it comes to water challenges.

“While it is our job to pull together measures that will increase drought resilience and provide safer and more secure water supply, we take the views of locals seriously and every piece of feedback we receive will help us finalise the shortlist of options.

“It is why we want to hear from as many people as possible before the consultation period closes next Friday 18 November.”

As part of this process, we have held several public information sessions including Dubbo on the 9 November with a final one scheduled in Orange for 14 November.

Please visit our website for the latest updates and to view the Draft Macquarie-Castlereagh Regional Water Strategy and lodge a submission.