DESPITE the recent hive of political activity in Far West NSW, residents who rely on the Menindee Lakes for their water supply remain uncertain about their future.
NSW Water Minister Niall Blair held a public meeting in Broken Hill in early October to talk about long-term supply options for the region, while earlier this month, Federal Agriculture and Water Resources Minister Barnaby Joyce briefly visited the rural city and took a flight across the Menindee Lakes on a fact-finding mission.
But following Mr Joyce's visit some local residents were left confused about whether bore water was a short-term or long-term solution for the region's water security.
Menindee Tourist Association president Karen Page was frustrated when Mr Joyce said he grew up on bore water to local media, and that it should be considered as an option in the water shortage crisis.
"He obviously hasn't seen our bore water," she said.
"You would need huge plants to treat it, plus we just don't have the supply. It's just not a long-term option."
While Broken Hill resident Ross Leddra said Mr Joyce's comments conflicted with the NSW government's position that bore water would not be a permanent solution.
"Barnaby Joyce's stance on using bore water showed he knew nothing about the local situation and it appears there has been no dialogue with the NSW government," he said.
"All these contradictions have only made people more confused and angry.
"It feels like they (the government) have taken two steps back."
The confusion prompted Mr Blair's office to reiterate that the use of bores was only one option being considered to "supplement the ongoing use of the Menindee Lakes as a primary source of water" for Broken Hill and surrounding communities.
"There is no proposed long-term option that would see Broken Hill move to permanent bore water supply," a spokesperson said.
"The NSW government's position remains consistent with information provided at the town meeting in October."
Some of the long-term options discussed at the meeting were a pipeline from the River Murray in NSW, a pipeline from Booborowie in SA, road and rail water carting, recycled water and upstream dams to secure Menindee Lakes supply.
"When I visited Broken Hill in October, I said that everything was on the table and that we'd look closely at every option to find the best solution for the people of Broken Hill and surrounding communities," Mr Blair said.
"Any solution must have the ability to meet the prescribed outcomes and objectives of the strict economic, environmental and social criteria for decades, while providing value for money for the people of Broken Hill and the NSW taxpayer and recognising the importance of the Menindee Lakes in the history and culture of the region."
In the next three months, the NSW government will have all options assessed and develop a preliminary business case by the end of the year.
Mr Blair said a final business case would be presented in March 2016.
"The government will continue to keep residents updated," he said.
Ms Page said it was good to hear the NSW government was finalising decisions on the long-term town water supply for Broken Hill, but that those in the Menindee area were still in the dark about their water security.
Ms Page is on two local consultative groups - the Broken Hill Community Consultative Committee and chairperson of the Menindee Water Consultative Group.
"We (Menindee) haven't had a consultative meeting since July," she said.
"The government says they haven't got anything new to tell us, yet they are making all these long-term plans without asking the local consultative group about what effect they might have.
"At the moment, we're talking, they appear to be listening but then ignoring us.
"I believe they will just end up going ahead with the plans they have had all along, and that is to make savings in the Darling through lowering the amount of water allocated to the Menindee Lakes system."
Alisha Fogden
Cropping editor of Stock Journal.
Cropping editor of Stock Journal.
