As everyone is now acutely aware, we are in one of the worst droughts on record and as a region Dubbo is about to have tougher water restrictions as we begin level 4 on November 1.
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However while a lot of the focus at the moment is on immediate survival, and securing water to get us through until it eventually rains again, I think it is important we have one eye on the future.
Earlier this month I wrote to our state and federal leaders including Prime Minister Scott Morrison, federal Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese and Premier Gladys Berejiklian.
In this letter I asked them to start considering the long-term future of Western NSW and ensuring regional areas are protected against the reputational damage the drought will do.
I asked them to start planning and budgeting to restore confidence in rural communities.
Part of the problem is what is currently happening.
There is a lot of sensationalism around Dubbo and other centre running out of water. Lot of talk of 'Day Zero' and 'running dry'. This presents these towns and cities as places to avoid.
It is off-putting for tourists but even more off-putting for potential new residents or businesses. Why would they move to a place that has no water. Of course that isn't the real story. Yes our water supply is low, but Council and governments are looking at every option available and making provisions.
I am very confident we will find solutions to make our supply last until we get the rain we so desperately need but the reputational damage that is being done in the meantime is concerning. It's not just us either. Stories have drawn attention to the difficulties facing large cities including Orange, Tamworth and Bathurst, as well as smaller towns.
We need to do everything we can to ensure Dubbo is still viewed as a great place to live and establish a business and I would encourage all levels of Government to think about what role it can play.
It is also important Governments look at ways to help businesses and industries that are being put in jeopardy by the drought, but are currently not eligible for any assistance. Most of the focus so far has been on farmers and agriculture, and rightfully so, but now there are others doing it just as tough.
Turf farms, landscapers, pool businesses and irrigation specialists are all facing a challenge. Tighter water restrictions have seen demand for these drop. Like so many impacted by the drought, the problems come through no fault of their own. Others are hurting because people don't have money to spend on new equipment.
I believe financial assistance will be required to help these businesses get through otherwise it will take a terrible toll, not just on those directly involved but on the entire community and the local economy.
