Tamworth council: economic impact study on drought deferred to ensure it covers harrowing effects of worst drought in living memory

The harrowing and relentless most recent drought, largely considered to be one of the worst in living memory, sunk its claws into local businesses, access to healthcare, education and the social fabric of the community.

It's more than just a lack of water, councillor Russell Webb said, who successfully deferred a decision on whether to engage a professional to look at the financial impacts of the 2017 to 2019 drought.

"I believe the drought economic impact stuff has been done and dusted by government agencies and chambers across the state," he said.

"I think what we need to do is look at our water security ... the construction of Dungowan Dam is so important for us and the continued growth objectives we have for our city and region."

The report is designed to help the council lobby state and federal governments to change policies and ensure future droughts don't cripple the community.

It would look at lost investment opportunities for industry due to a lack of raw water supply, a decrease in new residents moving to the area and businesses that shuttered as a direct or indirect result of the drought.

Accommodation providers that suffered, pool closures and the effects on large water users would also come under the microscope.

But, councillor Juanita Wilson felt it didn't go far enough - and said it should look at the social ramifications, the hidden hurt and educational setbacks for children in farming families.

"So many students during the drought had to work at home on the farms and it impacted their education," she said.

"Families then couldn't afford to send their children to tertiary education, which then impacts their family and the future.

"And health, so many people impacted by the drought weren't prepared to access health because they didn't have the time."

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The councillors decided the best course of action was to set the boundaries further at a workshop.

Cr Mark Rodda said its important to investigate what went wrong in the lead up and during the drought.

"The lessons of unfettered water releases from Chaffey Dam, the environmental flows masqueraded as environmental flows down the Peel River and traded at the Namoi River, that sort of stuff didn't stack up or meet the pub test with a lot of our residents," he said.

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