BUSH ON THE BACK BURNER

Story – Tricia Duffield

While the people of Sydney can look forward to new metro lines, new motorways and a near billion-dollar new fish market, it seems the bush is being left behind.

Member for Barwon Roy Butler said cancelled or postponed projects send a message to rural communities that the bush takes a backseat to our bigger cities.

He said the postponement of promised infrastructure, including the Wilcannia Weir and the Wild Dog Fence, have further illustrated that the bush is being left behind.

“When it comes to providing the basic necessities for life in rural areas, such as reliable water supplies, projects seem to be wrapped up in red and green tape before they even get to the starting line,” Mr Butler said.

“I speak of the Wilcannia Weir, which has been consulted on for at least 30 years without any construction happening. I also speak of the Nyngan to Cobar pipeline, the Wild Dog Fence and the Gin Gin Weir.

“All of those projects are fundamentally important to the communities they serve, whether by providing drinking water, supporting local industry or both. All those projects have been reviewed yet again by the state government,” he said. […]

Read more local news in the printed edition of The Western Herald.

To subscribe call (02) 6872 2333 today and receive The Western Herald in your letterbox next week or purchase and download a digital edition here.

Roy Butler at the Cobar Pipeline - a much-needed upgrade has been years in the making. Photo supplied