Mayor Hollman welcomes lifting of embargoes

Bourke Mayor Barry Hollman has been calling for the lifting of the pumping embargo once WaterNSW could assure local government of a good flush right down the Darling River PHOTO TWH
The NSW Government has lifted embargoes on irrigation pumping from the Darling River.
An embargo on the Darling River south of the Culgoa River junction was lifted on Friday at 12 noon and water licence holders between Bourke and Wilcannia are now able to pump.
The Department of Planning, Industry and Environment said it was consistent with decisions in recent weeks to slowly wind back embargoes as the flow passes through.
Executive Director of Planning and Policy, Emma Solomon said access was only being permitted downstream of the Culgoa Junction on the basis that critical downstream needs and the revised Lake Wetherell target of 200 gigalitres would be met.
“I am satisfied that the current critical needs in the Barwon-Darling will be met and that there is sufficient water available for higher priority needs to approve these licence holders to take water during the approval period in accordance with their licence conditions,” Ms Solomon said.
Read more in the printed edition of the Western Herald.