Editorial: What's the damn Dungowan dam issue anyway?

So what's the big deal? The dam's upgrade hasn't even been confirmed yet.

Well, if the state government upgraded Dungowan but took over control of the dam, the water security for the city of Tamworth and the surround villages would be back to square one.

Because Dungowan dam is owned by Tamworth Regional Council, the water is reserved wholey and solely for the region's residents.

Water in dams owned by the state government is split up between many different groups - farmers, mines, cities, abattoirs and anyone else who needs water.

It may sound cynical, but the water in dams owned by the state government is also a valuable commodity, the sale of which helps fill the government coffers.

Chaffey Dam was full three years ago. If Tamworth was the only water user, it would be enough to last the city 10 years. But alas, that's not the case.

Tamworth councillor Mark Rodda has questioned the state government's management of the dams it owns like Chaffey (at around 20 per cent) and Lake Keepit (one per cent).

Two years ago, when this drought was just beginning, did the government really have the region's water security in mind, or was it thinking of how it could increase it's already fat surplus?

If Dungowan dam was upgraded to the proposed 22 gigalitres and left in council's hands, at full capacity it would be enough to last the city for more than two years without the region seeing a drop of rain.

This upgrade won't go ahead without the state government, so let's not be too harsh. But, Cr Rodda is right to issue an early warning.

Council cops plenty of flak for its water management - but its water experts say it's among of the best in the state.

And if you're still not convinced, who is going to be more concerned with Tamworth water supply? Tamworth council, who are responsible for 60,000 people, or the state government, that is looking after the needs of 7.5 million people?