Draft Namoi Water Strategy: Tamworth Regional Council to raise its issues with draft strategy, congratulates DPIE on steps toward water security

That's one of the submissions Tamworth Regional Council (TRC) plans to make to the Draft Namoi Regional Water Strategy.

A critical human needs license would mean that in extreme, prolonged dry periods - human needs would be prioritised over commercial uses.

The water strategy is the first plan the council feels actually takes the region's issues into account and tries to find solutions.

On Tuesday, councillors will vote on whether to lodge the submission to the Department of Primary Industries and Environment (DPIE).

The council's water and waste director Bruce Logan has raised 14 issues in the proposed submission.

"The possibility that a centre may run out of water on occasion is not possible for a centre the size of Tamworth," he said.

"The inability to allow a centre to run out of water must be taken into account when considering water security."

It was raised that water security should not just be assessed on present demand, but the needs into the future as the population grows.

He said there's also a lack of incentive for locals to save water if the savings are just sold off to another customer.

"While the council supports making water available for the environment, the present 3ML per day releases from Chaffey Dam, regardless of downstream conditions, should be reconsidered," he said.

"Council has previously suggested the 3ML per day release could be stored in the dam and released as part of a block release, which will ensure sufficient water is released to address any environmental concerns identified."

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The state government has asked DPIE to put together 12 regional water strategies.

The aim is to bring together the latest climate evidence with a range of tools and solutions to plan and manage water needs across the next 20 to 40 years.

The strategy outlines an investigation and roll out of recycled water options, but Mr Logan said what to do with the wastewater is a deterrent for inland centres. "The strategy should include further research into the treatment processes available for recycled water," he said.

The strategy is on exhibition, and submissions close April 9. DPIE will hold a face-to-face meeting in Tamworth on March 23, and at Manilla on March 25.

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