Water funding is there, so get on with it – Mark Coulton

Member for Parkes Mark Coulton met with Bourke Council last week to discuss a variety of matters including drought and water shortages. Standing: Councillors Cecil Dorrington, Sarah Barton, Lachlan Ford, Mark Coulton MP, and Mayor Barry Hollman. Seated: Bourke Shire Council General Manager Ross Earl and Councillors Bob Stutsel and Victor Bartley Photo TWH

The Federal government may dip into the coffers and fund more water infrastructure projects in the northern basin to stave off the impending water crisis across the region.

Federal member for Parkes Mark Coulton acknowledged that without rain in the next 12 months, some of NSW’s major regional hubs, such as Tamworth, Warren, Walgett and Dubbo would run out of water in 12 months.

Mr Coulton said he hoped the Federal and State governments would start to fast track some of the projects on the table, including raising the heights of dams and weirs in the northern basin.

Any push to fund a water diversion scheme from the Clarence Valley, however, would be highly unlikely, despite the extreme water shortages.

He said the new technology which enabled people to see where water was available, who was using it and how much, would have a positive influence on the public debate on water sharing.

Read more in the printed edition of the Western Herald.