Communities and landholders in the Lower Lachlan have a stronger united voice following the formation of the Lower Lachlan Stock & Domestic and Basic Right Water Users committee at a meeting held in Lake Cargelligo.
The meeting followed concern from landowners who have been denied access to water from the Lachlan River since a Temporary Water Order was placed on the river - south of Condobolin in November last year.
This order was imposed by State Water as the water level in Wyangala Dam reached a critical low point.
According to the group’s publicity officer Patti Bartholomew, people in the lower Lachlan River region are feeling abandoned by the State Government that is allocating water for high security water users in the upper and mid Lachlan regions rather than providing for residents further downstream.
“Our group believes that Australians should not accept water for irrigated crops and industry being prioritised over water for humans and livestock,” said Ms Bartholomew.
The new group has gained support in the region from a number of organisations including the Lachlan Catchment Management Authority (CMA), NSW Farmers, the NSW Aboriginal Lands Council and the Central Darling Shire Council.
Representatives from several organisations who have Stock & Domestic or Basic Right to draw water from the Lachlan River, its creeks, lakes and water schemes were present at the meeting.
At the meeting, an executive was elected with Stephen Doyle, ‘Wistaton’ Euabalong as Chairman, Kerry Davis, ‘Riverbends’ Lake Cargelligo as Treasurer and Leanne Middleton, ‘Erribendry’ Lake Cargelligo named as Secretary.
One major resolution was passed to lobby for representation for the Stock and Domestic and Basic Right Water Users committee at a decision making level, specifically on the Lachlan Critical Water Advisory Group.
A number of other resolutions were made at the meeting that will encourage more interaction and communication with the NSW Government and relevant authorities in the future.
Financial help and compensation for landholders who have had to bear the costs of implementing an alternative water source after the Lachlan’s flows were restricted by the NSW Office of Water, was the main topic of conversation.
The group called for grants (to be retrospective to the river closure date), rather than low interest loans to be allocated to landowners.
The three elected representatives have since met with the Lachlan CMA General Manager, Chris Glennon and Chairman, Rob Gledhill in Lake Cargelligo in an endeavour to help landholders affected by the decision.
“There were many community meetings up and down the Lachlan River after the decision was made by State Water to cease water flows at Condobolin in November.
“The Lachlan CMA has held meetings with farmers along the river to find what the organisation could do for them.
“Our job is to assist our clients,” said Chris Glennon.
The Lachlan CMA representatives informed the group that they have put in a submission for grants, which is still pending, but agreed that there was a reasonable argument to allow back-dating to the date of the Temporary Water Order.
“The Lachlan CMA submission is positive and we are hoping for a favourable outcome to assist landholders in the Lachlan CMA,” said Mr Glennon.
The formation of the Lower Lachlan Stock & Domestic and Basic Right Water Users committee will see people living along the river become more proactive in voicing their frustration over both the current situation and long term management of the Lachlan River.
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