In relation to chatter about the current Peel Valley Water Sharing Plan, the obvious flaw is demonstrated by the 2017/18 Peel Valley Water Balance report that indicates "end of system flows" masquerading as "environmental water" that is measured at the Carroll Gap Bridge not far from our empty Keepit Dam. For the 2017/18 water year more than a quarter of Chaffey Dam's capacity (25,394 ML) left the Peel River into the Namoi River where immediately it is no longer "environmental water" it turns into a dramatically cheaper commodity for water customers elsewhere. The 2018/19 water year ended on the 30/06/19, four and a half months later we still wait to see the results of the most recent Peel River Water Balance report which is likely to show similar losses from the Peel River into the Namoi River.

If such massive losses were kept to an annual minimum of say around 5 gigalitres per water year I believe Chaffey Dam would still have more than 50 per cent capacity remaining and would see our Peel Valley farmers, businesses, industry and Tamworth city in a much more comfortable and indeed enviable position now instead of facing the invidious circumstances we do now, interminable drought, Level 5 restrictions and uncertainty.

There is an unhealthy opaqueness to the matter of water management and the better management of Chaffey Dam and other water storages is the key and far more important than expensive pipelines and costly new dams that as we have seen WILL NOT guarantee our water future; hence the reason for my (failed) Notice of Motion a few weeks ago. It's a pity the indignation and concern expressed by my fellow councillors on Tuesday night about the "mess" of the Murray Darling Basin Plan, water management and the timing of the current water sharing plan reviews was not shared at the previous meeting when my Notice of Motion was raised. According to feedback I have received my motion requesting an explanation about Chaffey Dam losses from the Peel to Namoi Rivers was feared "too political" or "embarrassing" to the evidently out-of-touch old guard.

Far from being too political though asking questions about the management of our precious natural resources is the logical step and improved management of our region's water storage infrastructure is vital, particularly when it rains and Chaffey Dam refills. That will be far more important to locals than labouring to get amendments to a water sharing plan that would otherwise work if we had the water in Chaffey Dam for the people's use in our valley not someone else's. It is the question that is on the lips of irrigators, farmers, residents, businesses and industry everywhere "where did our water go" over the last three years and I am on your side, the side of transparency and accountability because you have a Right to Know.

Mark Rodda, Tamworth