AN OUTPOURING of support from Tamworth Regional Council has been launched to help its residents coping with the drought.
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People can now access up to 1000 litres of free water from seven standpipe hydrants dotted throughout the council area.
Distinctive blue hydrants can be found in Attunga, Barraba, Bendemeer, Manilla, Kootingal, Nundle and Tamworth.
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Council will keep the scheme going until water restrictions hit level four or more than 50 per cent of the local government area is no longer drought declared.
“It was important because that was the message we were hearing from those smaller communities, that it was very difficult and it was an additional impost for them to come into Tamworth to fill up,” mayor Col Murray said.
On top of this, council has donated $23,950.81 in revenue from the Lockheed Street refill station to the R U Aware We Care campaign and it will continue to direct money earned from the facility to the drought appeal until the big dry is over.
The R U Aware We Care drive has distributed more than $212,000 in cash support to 242 families in the region.
It comes two months after Tamworth councillor Juanita Wilson called for council to “explore strategies or mechanisms that will provide practical or direct assistance” to local farmers.
“The thing we are hearing, particularly from the rural counsellors, is the big need out there in the community is for cash,” Cr Murray said.
“They have bills coming and bills that all families need to be able to pay, things like power, things like telephones.”
Community facilities will be opened for showering and washing, while waste fees for feed wraps will be waived too.
Standpipe locations
- Yarran Street, Attunga
- Rodney Street, Barraba
- Caroline Street, near the corner of Aurora, Bendemeer
- Denman Avenue, Kootingal
- Charles Street, Manilla
- Herring Street, Nundle
- Jack Smyth Drive, Tamworth
Shower and laundry facilities
- Attunga Sportsground
- Barraba Showground
- Kootingal Recreational Ground
- Manilla Showground
- Carter Street Playing Fields, Tamworth