Local community individuals and groups should seize the opportunity to have their say on the Draft Regional Water Strategy for the Far North Coast region, according to NSW Nationals MPs Chris Gulaptis, Geoff Provest and Ben Franklin MLC.
NSW Nationals Member for Clarence Chris Gulaptis said the regional water strategy is an important chance for residents, farmers, businesses, and councils to have their say on how water infrastructure is designed and managed in the future.
Local NSW Nationals Member of the Legislative Council Ben Franklin said the Far North Coast was one of the most biodiverse areas in Australia and new climate modelling suggests droughts may be more severe in the future.
“Over a third of water extraction in the Far North Coast region is used for town water supplies so we need to make decisions now about how, where, and when to direct new investment to give the region adequate water security into the future,” Mr Franklin said.
NSW Nationals Member for Tweed Geoff Provest said the NSW Nationals in the state government had committed over $4 million in the past three years to co-fund eligible water and sewerage projects across the Far North Coast region to deliver improvements to public health and water security
“The draft strategy for the Far North Coast region is the culmination of extensive consultation and close partnerships with councils and local water utilities,” Mr Provest said.
Mr Gulaptis noted that we had just experienced one of the worst droughts on record and we must prepare our regions and make them more drought resilient.
The draft Far North Coast Strategy will be on display until December 13 and stakeholders and the wider community will have the opportunity to attend a webinar or face-to-face consultation sessions and provide their feedback.
The webinar will take place from 2pm – 4pm on Monday, November 9. The face to face consultation sessions will take place from 9.30am – 12pm on Wednesday, November 11 in Tweed Heads and from 9.30am – 12pm on Thursday, November 12 in Lismore. Local aboriginal engagement sessions will take place from 1.30pm – 4pm on Wednesday, November 11 in Tweed Heads and from 1.30pm – 4pm on Thursday, November 12 in Lismore.
For more information and to register your attendance visit www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/far-north-coast-regional-water-strategy.
