Media Release 1 April 2025
CASTLEREAGH COUNTRY DROUGHT PLAN – implementation to commence.
Gilgandra and Warrumbungle Councils' Castlereagh Country Regional Drought Resilience Plan has been approved by the Minister, and now moves into the implementation phase for projects.
Gilgandra and Warrumbungle Shire Councils strategically collaborated to develop the Drought Plan for the Castlereagh Country Region, receiving $200,000 in funding through the Regional Drought Resilience Planning Program to develop the Plan, with a further $250,000 available for priority implementation actions across the Castlereagh Country region. The Regional Drought Resilience Planning Program is joint funded by the Australian Government and NSW Government, under the Future Drought Fund.
Drought is a challenging condition for Australia, not just at the farm gate but for entire communities and regions. Droughts are expected to return with projections of worsening in parts of the country, as a result of climate change. The Castlereagh Country Drought Plan identifies actions to prepare for increased climate variability, reduced growing season rainfall, and an increase in the frequency of drought events – with the implementation phase set to kick off in 2025.
With the plan now approved by the Minister, the Council's move into implementation of the priority projects with our communities.
Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said the Regional Drought Resilience Planning Program acknowledges that each region in NSW is different and requires its own approach to have a real impact.
"We know it is only a matter of time before the next drought hits, so we want our communities to be prepared and ready to act with plans in place," Ms Moriarty said. "Having community-led Regional Drought Resilience Plans, that take into account each region's unique needs, is allowing these communities to build meaningful plans that will make a big difference."
Nick White, Chair of Gilgandra Shire Council's Economic Development Committee says,
"There is no doubt that the communities in the Central West are resilient – consistently facing challenges and unknowns emerging from the unpredictable Australian climate. The development of this Drought Plan will provide solutions for planning, preparation and response to drought resilience in the Castlereagh Country Region – ensuring we can withstand the impacts of climate variability and drought.
"We are looking forward to working with the community moving forward - implementing the Drought Plan to see some really great outcomes in the preparedness and sustainability of the Region."
Gilgandra And Warrumbungle Shire Councils would like to thank all of those involved in the collaboration, and the community members that took part in the Have Your Say for the Drought Plan.
Mr White acknowledges all those involved in the development of the plan,
"It was these workshops, survey and drop-in sessions held across the communities within the Castlereagh Country region were impacts, opportunities, and challenges were discussed, with a view to building resilience, and being ready as a community from a social, economic and environmental perspective."
The following implementation actions were considered priorities to encourage and build drought resilience within the community across the themes of:
- Healthy, connected and resilient communities
- Infrastructure to support communities and agriculture
- Resilient local businesses and regional economy
- Sustainable management and use of natural resources.
These priorities, which will be included in the implementation phase of the Castlereagh Country Drought Plan include:
- Develop groundwater access toolkit/mapping of
o Key parameters (depth to groundwater, potential volumetric groundwater yield, water quality)
o Simplified spatial representation of existing groundwater users and their annual extraction limits, and
o NSW Water Sharing Plan licensing requirements for new groundwater works and water use approvals.
- Develop and promote a Drought Innovation and Resilience Showcase Field Day to showcase local and new ideas for natural resource management, farming practices and innovation, as well as social and wellbeing outcomes.
- Develop a Drought Communication Strategy to guide community and stakeholder engagement during drought conditions, which includes o Key parameters (depth to groundwater, potential volumetric groundwater yield, water quality)
o Simplified spatial representation of existing groundwater users and their annual extraction limits, and
o NSW Water Sharing Plan licensing requirements for new groundwater works and water use approvals.
A full list of projects has been identified in the Castlereagh Country Drought Plan, which can be found at www.agriculture.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/castlereagh-rdr-plan.pdf
The Drought Plan acknowledges that we can learn from previous droughts and plan for broader community implications, and the objective of these plans is to come up with practical solutions for addressing gaps in the way communities prepare for and respond to drought.
Gilgandra and Warrumbungle Shire Councils look forward to moving into the implementation phase with the priority projects, and the positive impact it will have for the future of our community.
