Bourke’s 2020 vision. The year 2020 was unlike any other

Oxley Street, Bourke – December 2020

Although it will go down in history as one of the most challenging, here in Bourke it wasn’t all bad news.

In fact, 2020 saw some uplifting events, an end to the drought for a while at least, and many examples of the resilience of the people who call Bourke home.

Battered by years of drought, there was never any doubt that the community would prevail.

Bourke Shire Council had fought for more funding to secure our water supplies during the drought – and the inevitable droughts to come. New bores were sunk, a new water treatment plant was installed, and the community knuckled down under the most stringent water restrictions in years.

When rain fell in late February, the river was replenished. By August, Bourke and most of NSW was out of drought.

But a new threat had arrived – COVID-19. Testing stations were set up, lockdowns and social distancing imposed, and the community endured the challenge without a hiccup, or a sneeze!

Funding for community projects sky-rocketed, and unbelievably, Bourke Shire Council is within striking distance of completely sealing the Bourke to Wanaaring Road.

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