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Rural Communities in Crisis

Wakool Shire Council has this week endorsed a report outlining the socio-economic impacts on the local community should water leave the district.

The detailed report is the result of a study initiated by Council in response to community concerns with the Federal Government’s water reform initiative being delivered through its $12.9 billion Water for the Future program.

The outcomes from the study will enable Council to actively engage the Federal Government into looking at the broader community impacts on any closure of irrigation districts or network.  

Wakool Shire Mayor, Cr Rod Chalmers said the report is timely and clearly identifies the impacts the loss of water will have on the region, on a number of levels. 

‘This report couldn’t be more timely as the issue of buybacks is again very topical following the recent embargo imposed by the NSW government on environmental transfers to the Commonwealth.’ 

‘The study clearly shows that the effects of water leaving our district permanently will result in loss of people, reduced rate income and reduced business in service industries.’ 

‘On the back of this information we hope to use the study to engage with our Federal Government and encourage them to release some of the 5.8 billion set aside for infrastructure to offset some of these effects of water loss. This may include more efficient use of water or higher value crops, more intense irrigation practices and additional help for the industries affected,’ Cr Chalmers said. 

The report details several scenarios regarding how the water may potentially leave the district, the full socio-economic impacts of this loss and delivers recommendations that may enable Council to lessen the impacts and adapt to the changed environment with the Federal Government. 

‘Irrespective of how the water is lost there will be significant regional impacts through the loss of agricultural production and flow on losses to the regional economy.’

 ‘The current buy-pack proposals will see the area face a significant change over a couple of years that would, under normal circumstances, generally occur over a longer time frame.‘ 

‘This speed is driven by government policy that will compromise the ability of the region to adapt to the changes. At the moment the process will see direct and hard hitting impacts for our community without any time for people to adapt to the circumstances.’ 

‘It is certainly hoped this study will be the catalyst for discussions with the Government regarding their approach to water reforms,’ Cr Chalmers said. 

Cr Chalmers said Wakool Shire is also cooperating with neighbouring Councils who are facing similar destruction of their communities. 

The final report will now be referred to local agencies and both State and Federal Government for information and response.   

A copy of the documentation is attached for viewing &/or printing.

Contact details
Mayor - Rod Chalmers
03 58875007 (ph)
03 58875103 (fax)
mail@wakool.nsw.gov.au

© 2008 Wakool Shire Council
This page: http://www.wakool.local-e.nsw.gov.au/council/25034/353403.html