A survey seeking views from all residents in the Armidale local government area has been launched by Sustainable Water Futures Armidale Region, the newest SLA action group.
“We want to open a conversation with our community on water futures” said Kate Boyd, Convenor of Sustainable Water Futures Armidale Region.
“We’ve started by setting up our survey asking about Water Security: What matters to you? We want to hear from many different people about what is important to them, whether the last drought changed their water use, and what they want considered in planning for future water security.”
The survey is for all the residents in Guyra, Armidale and the surrounding rural areas. Please use this link https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PTZKVHT to do the 10 minute survey on the internet, and share it with a wide range of people across this region.
“22nd March is World Water Day. Kate Boyd suggested “This is a good time to reflect on how water is used and managed locally, including in droughts with climate change, and on the rivers from which we take water.”
Guyra and Armidale get water from the Gara River which flows through Blue Hole into the Macleay River then to Bellbrook and Kempsey. One option that Armidale Regional Council is considering is to also take water from the Oaky River via a dam, pumps and pipeline. Both Gara and Oaky Rivers provide flows to the Macleay through Oxley Wild Rivers National Park.
“We will use the survey responses to inform our community about the range of views on the region’s water future. A summary of results will be given to Armidale Regional Council.
“We aim to collaborate with our Council and community in seeking water security for people and nature. Let’s learn from each other’s perspectives then creatively explore solutions to enable us all to live sustainably with water” Kate Boyd said.
