Easing Water Restrictions - In the Moree Plains

With recent heavy rainfall across the Shire and related river systems, Council has been evaluating the water restrictions in place for Boggabilla, Mungindi and Weemelah.

Such restrictions were imposed under Council’s Water Supply Schemes Drought Management Plan based on water consumption of the affected communities, rainfall and having regard to formal advice received from WaterNSW that there will be no further planned water releases to supply water to these towns. Further water releases were not envisaged until sufficient rainfall allows the usual catchments to replenish their water supplies to allow for future water releases.

Flows are anticipated for the Macintyre River in the Boggabilla area. Council will be regularly assessing the water supply at Boggabilla with a view to reducing and ultimately removing the restrictions currently in place (if practicable). Once flows arrive, the inevitable flushing process of the parched river system will take place before these flows can be used to supplement the water supply for Boggabilla.

Flows are anticipated for the Barwon River in coming weeks. Council will be regularly assessing the water supply at Mungindi with a view to reducing and ultimately removing the restrictions currently in place (if practicable). Once flows arrive, the inevitable flushing process of the parched river system will take place before these flows can be used to supplement the water supply for Mungindi.

An assessment has been undertaken of the Weemelah water supply and it has been determined that water restrictions for Weemelah are no longer required as of today, Friday 14 February 2020.

We will keep both the Boggabilla and Mungindi community regularly updated but we are committed to reducing the water restrictions at both these localities as soon as is practicable.