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The torture of continual drought is a repeated nightmare endured in Western NSW.
As it consumes 86% of this vast state its devastating effect is being evidenced by starving stock, wildlife and communities in crisis.
Relief can come only from sustained rain and then its effect will not be immediate.
Government and Drought Relief packages have been made to landholders.
Surveys have been distributed to determine eligibility for Exceptional Circumstances Relief from the Federal Government.
The tiny village of Coolabah in the Bogan Shire is one of the first towns in NSW where taps have run dry.
20,000 litre truckloads of water, costing $300 per load, are being shipped in from Nyngan four times a week to meet residents’ domestic use.
Up to $5,000 annually is available to Primary Producers for domestic water through drought relief packages.
‘Walgett Shire Council is pursuing avenues of assistance for ratepaying residents of the Grawin/Glengarry/Sheepyard Opal Fields,’ said Mayor, Peter Waterford.
Opal miners are not categorised as primary producers.
Local Member for Barwon, Mr Ian Slack-Smith’s office is also pursuing the issue of domestic water.
Personnel form the Bush Church Aid Society of Australia offered some relief to landholders in the severely affected areas of Lightning Ridge, Walgett and Goodooga, with the distribution of fodder last week.
But for Australia’s third richest man, Richard Pratt, who has built his fortune on recycling, his vision of channelling water from reservoirs through recycled plastic pipes, may hold the key for a parched land and future prosperity.
His vision is one which he is prepared to endorse with a $100 million cheque but not before the Federal Government recognises water shortages are a national crisis and a strategy for water preservation and recycling is established.
Water lost to evaporation and seepage is massive.
Mr Pratt’s vision provides not only workable solutions to our recurring water shortages but the extent of the project would afford extensive job opportunities and a vital monetary injection to ailing rural economies constantly confronted by crippling droughts.
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