Water security at risk in Barraba????
Letter to the Editor
Barraba has a secure water supply and still we endure restrictions. Manilla also has a secure water supply.
This could be at RISK!
A “Draft Regional Water Strategy” has been completed by the NSW Government and the “Draft Review” is in its final stages. It states “in consultation with Communities and stakeholders“ on the available options.
Once this Document (195 pages) is adopted – Any or all of the “options” can be undertaken including:
- A dam at the Horton River?
- A pipeline from the Namoi River at the “Blue Hole” (an aboriginal sacred site) above Manilla to Split Rock Dam with water then released to Keepit Dam.
- A pipeline from Keepit Dam to the Maules Creek Mines
- A pipeline from Keepit Dam to Tamworth for benefit of “Security, Prosperity and Development for the major centres.”
This compromises our water security with half our allocation not being made available to us.
Our SRD water allocation per year is 365 mega litres.
Our usage per year is 156 mega litres.
What could happen with the remaining 209 mega litres?
Will it be “on sold” to industries or taken for Tamworth Development?
Tamworth Regional Council holds the licence for our SRD water allocation.
There is confusion and frustration on the lack of true consultation and transparency by Water NSW and Tamworth Regional Council.
A Community awareness meeting is being held at Manilla RSL on Thursday 18th November at 7pm.
Kevin Anderson will be in attendance so this is Barraba and Manilla’s opportunity to state how they would like their water to be allocated going forward into the future.
Shirley Close