The clock is ticking until submissions close on the Macquarie Castlereagh Regional Water Strategy that will guide the rivers' next 20-40 years, and local environment groups are calling on public submissions to change the course of its future. 

The 20-40 year roadmap to water management between both rivers has been on public exhibition since November 1, calling for stakeholder feedback to inform the strategy. 

According to Healthy Rivers Dubbo, the regional water strategies that are being implemented for rivers across the state are an important result from the 2017-2020 drought that saw local river cut off and habitats severely damaged. 

Healthy Rivers Dubbo Convenor Mel Gray said that the current strategy on display isn’t free from flaws. 

“It’s obvious a lot of work has gone into this strategy over a long time. There are a lot of great innovative ideas, but some worrying ones as well,” Ms Gray said. 

“It’s irresponsible to keep managing water releases from Burrendong dam based on rainfall data from before 2003. Ignoring the recent unprecedented, severe drought, and allocating water as if it never happened is borderline negligent,” she said. 

When the last drought struck the area, a lack of water in Burrendong Dam saw towns including Nyngan and Dubbo approach ‘Day Zero’, where there would be no drinking water available. 

As drought predictions increase from climate change, Ms Gray is concerned that releasing too much water from Burrendong dam while dam inflows could half by 2070 is a dangerous move. 

“Common sense dictates that enough water should be kept in Burrendong Dam to make sure Dubbo and other communities have enough water to survive more frequent and severe droughts. Town water security is the reason that taxpayer money paid for that dam in the first place,” Ms Gray said. 

The strategy includes a range of infrastructure and non-infrastructure options that are designed to improve water security and help drought proof water supply while also protecting the important environmental and cultural assets of the Macquarie Region. 

Director Regional Water Strategies Shagofta Ali said that given the recent flooding, the consultation process has been extended until 18 November. 

“The Macquarie-Castlereagh is one of the most productive agricultural regions in the country supporting more than 200,000 people, with the population heavily reliant on primary industries, so we really want to hear from farmers,” she said. 

“We also want submissions from First Nations people because we recognise water is central to their culture and spiritual identity, as well as their livelihoods.”

To view the Draft Macquarie-Castlereagh Regional Water Strategy and lodge a submission, click here.