Griffith City Council, Murrumbidgee Council, Leeton Shire Council, and Narrandera Shire Council have joined forces to develop a comprehensive Regional Drought Resilience Plan.
The Council say the aim of the Plan is to explore proactive solutions to mitigate and manage the impacts of drought across the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area (MIA).
The initiative is being made possible through a $560,000 grant from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.
A Western Riverina Regional Drought Resilience Workshop and drop-in sessions were held in June. The Councils say resident feedback has greatly informed the development of the Plan.
“The Western Riverina Regional Drought Resilience Plan (WRRDRP) is progressing well, with draft actionable items based on suggestions from local farmers. Project consultants have identified that drought in this region goes beyond the traditional concept of low rainfall. In the Western Riverina, ‘water uncertainty’ is a more appropriate term, as it arises from various factors,” Griffith City Council said in a statement today.
It says engagement with the community has highlighted three types of ‘water uncertainty’:
- Natural drought – A climate-related drought caused by insufficient rainfall;
- Human-made drought – Caused by reduced irrigation water availability, often due to government policies or out-of-region water demands;
- Operational constraints – Infrastructure or asset-based issues affecting the maintenance and operation of water schemes.
Griffith City Council will hold another community engagement session to seek feedback on the Draft Western Riverina Regional Drought Resilience Plan at the Council Chambers on Wednesday, 25th September from 9am-11am
