****NEWS FLASH**** Broken Hill City Councillors will be asked to endorse a series of recommendations at the October ordinary meeting of Council to advocate for greater water security for the region in light of unprecedented water releases from the Menindee Lakes scheme. “I believe I will have the strong support of my fellow Councillors on this matter following a round table discussion,” Mayor Wincen Cuy said. The Mayor will present a Mayoral Minute that: Supports the State Government’s commitment to looking at creating a bore to provide water surety to the City of Broken Hill. Calls on the State Government to legislate that the use of any bore/aquifer supply for Broken Hill is for emergency purposes only and that quality surface water from the Menindee Lakes scheme remains Broken Hill’s primary water supply. Requests a thorough review of the current “trigger point” for NSW Government control of the lakes system. Advocates for immediate action to be taken to implement changes to the lakes system to ensure the system provides for the security of water for drinking, and economic and recreational purposes for the Broken Hill and far west communities. Calls on the State Government to acknowledge that the Menindee Lakes system is a vital asset for the on-going liveability, economic prosperity and recreational needs of Broken Hill and the Far West and it will continue to work with the community to ensure its long term viability and security. Any changes to the Menindee Lake system or the implementation of emergency provisions are done at no additional or on-going cost to the Broken Hill community. “I have welcomed the input of Councillors and the community on this matter,” Mayor Cuy said. “Particularly the input of the Menindee Lakes -We Want Action group’s Darryn Clifton for his counsel, acknowledging we have a difference of opinion in terms of immediately securing an emergency water supply. “While this needs the endorsement of the full Council, I have already been advocating and will continue to do so with the Minister for Western NSW Kevin Humphries on this matter. I am making him well aware of the community’s disquiet over the handling of past water releases from the lakes and the predicament faced by the city. “I have also raised the issue with Federal Member Sussan Ley and have approached the Murray Darling Basin Authority in an effort to speak with its Chairman Craig Knowles. “Water is a very complicated issue, but we must stand united in gaining a better deal for our region. The Menindee Lakes scheme is crucial to the social, economic and liveability fabric of our city.” Mayor Wincen Cuy will chat with Damo this morning at 710am during the Bigger Brighter Breakie Show. Keeping it LOCAL and Keeping it REAL - 567am 2BH
Posted on: Sun, 19 Oct 2014 18:41:00 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015