Walcha grazier Jock Nivison will join four other "community champions" from the region to voice Walcha's perspective in the national conversation about drought and its impacts in Canberra next week.
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Namoi Unlimited will lead the delegation of local leaders and business people, most of whom are yet to be named, for the talks with the nation's decision-makers.
They will advocate for programs and incentives they believe will help businesses and communities in their council areas of Walcha, Tamworth, Gunnedah, Gwydir and Liverpool Plains.
Namoi Unlimited chairman Jamie Chaffey said the group would take the chance to share local stories of "heartache and hope" and to "advocate strongly" for what they needed.
"The impact of this drought is very broad," Cr Chaffey said.
"It's impacting small business owners, large employers, contractors, employees, schools - towns and the entire region .
"Our concerns are that, anecdotally, people are leaving the region to find casual or more permanent employment.
"They are driving substantial distances for work, with or without family; we see our employment and population pressures are not being addressed.
"Both the state and the commonwealth are investing substantial amounts in drought funding - billions of dollars have been spent; however, some of it seems to be missing the mark for our communities."
Each council will nominate someone from their shire to be in the delegation.
We believe Jock will be a strong advocate for local farmers
- Eric Noakes
"We believe Jock, as a young farmer in Walcha running a commercial and stud sheep and cattle operation, will be a strong advocate for local farmers facing the challenging weather conditions we are currently experiencing," said Walcha Mayor Eric Noakes.
Mr Nivison said his role is to advocate for the livestock industries and Walcha.
"The other members of the delegation are participants of local government or urban business owners from other centres of the Namoi region," he said.
"I hope to deliver a concise, coherent message that can help bring to light some of the issues that both urban and country businesses are facing through the drought.
"It will also be helpful to provide evidence of the severity of this drought in our community as the media primarily talk about drought as a western issue."
the media primarily talk about drought as a western issue
- Jock Nivison
Solutions to the current problems aren't easy, and Mr Nivison said he is well aware this delegation is not the first to contribute to finding the answers.
"Many, many intelligent and engaged people have been working on drought issues for a long time, and the solutions aren't obvious," he said.
"So I hope to be practical in advocating for assistance that is working. Like potentially increasing the scale of existing assistance like the emergency water scheme and freight rebate."
Namoi Unlimited has produced a document which will shine a light on the flow-on effect from drought into the urban areas. And some possible stimulus to ensure shops stay open in small rural towns like Walcha.
"There is some good stuff in this document, and it will be great to get it in front of some decision-makers at a national level," Mr Nivison said.
"I don't think Walcha people necessarily want hand-outs. I would assume most people want to walk through the drought on their feet, but if the government can help smooth the path for us, then surely that is a good thing.
"Things like tax reform in agriculture and a clear, consistent timeline on what assistance is provided at what level of drought are also important.
I don't think Walcha people necessarily want hand-outs
- Jock Nivison
"I also believe innovation that is undertaken by individuals that have the potential to assist the wider livestock industry should be government assisted. It seems that government continues to pull back from research and development innovation so strategic capital grants to individuals for this purpose would be of value."
Namoi Unlimited recently wrote to the Prime Minister and NSW Premier with some of its ideas to help relieve some stresses of drought.
Their wishlist from the federal government includes extending the eligibility criteria for drought loans to small business; funding for preschools for social and mental health resources for children; and an extension to the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme.
The desired state government initiatives include training for locals to upskill for casual work opportunities; funding for a tourism campaign for the Namoi region; funding to open free, 24/7 public amenities such as showers and laundries; and an increase in NSW Police numbers to address higher rural crime.
People are being asked by Namoi Unlimited to share their ideas on drought support, resilience and recovery on social media under the hashtag #mydroughtstory or emailing info@namoiunlimited.com.au.