Water red alert for Broken Hill

This week, the Broken Hill City Council will be asked to endorse a series of recommendations to advocate greater water security for the region in light of unprecedented releases from the Menindee Lakes scheme.

Mayor Cuy will present a Mayoral Minute which solidifies its position.

"Council at this point in time doesn't have a policy on what it's trying to achieve," he said.

"On Wednesday evening we are trying to come to a consensus; once that policy is in place we can go out and talk to the relevant parties on where we go in the future.

"We want a solid position so we can speak with one voice."

Key points of the minutes are:

* Support the NSW government's commitment to looking at creating a bore to provide water surety to the City of Broken Hill

* Call on the NSW 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

* Request a thorough review of the current "trigger point" for NSW government control of the lakes system

* Advocate 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

* Call on NSW government to acknowledge that the Menindee Lakes system is a vital asset for the ongoing 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 ongoing cost to the Broken Hill community

* Full report in Stock Journal, October 30, 2014 issue.