Namoi Unlimited has begun it’s Water for the Future project, which will pull together data on water security, access and information to give a road map of what the region’s water needs will be.

The project – a joint venture by Tamworth, Gunnedah, Liverpool Plains, Walcha and Gwydir councils –  is expected to overlay existing sources of water and infrastructure with future demand, and to determine the infrastructure that will be needed for growth.

It will involve an audit of agricultural trends, water use, business, processors and industry groups.

Namoi Unlimited acting chair and Tamworth mayor Col Murray said for the region to thrive, “we need to understand our water needs now and in to the future”.

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“Water underpins our communities and our economies, it underwrites employment, the environment, industry and I think attitude in this current climate,” Cr Murray said.

“We need to get ahead of the game, to plan and prepare our water security for the future.

“We think this work is critical to the community and to confidence in our region.”

Cr Murray said as a regional group, two key issues were to help Walcha sure up its water supply and provide Gwydir with support to increase its capacity.

“For all five Councils water infrastructure takes a long time to plan, develop and fund – we want this region to be ahead of the game,” he said.

“This drought seems to be relentless it’s devastating – but it will rain again and we want to be better prepared for the next one. 

“We want a better understanding of how as a region water can be used, stored and accessed to sustain communities, drive growth and shape decision making.

“We want to ensure that the right water is available at the right times.”

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