After finalising a plan last year to increase the drought-preparedness of the Gunnedah and Liverpool Plains shires, the two councils are now embarking on the second stage of the project.
Liverpool Plains and Gunnedah Shire councils worked together last year to prepare a Regional Drought Resilience Plan, part of a national program jointly funded through the Federal Government's Future Drought Fund and the NSW Government. The project aims to develop the capacity of regions to be better prepared to deal with the stresses of drought.
The plan prepared by the two councils was formally approved by the CSIRO, and they have now secured the funding needed to implement Stage 2, which will be carried out over the next four months.
The Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said the Regional Drought Resilience Planning Program acknowledged that each region in NSW is different and required its own approach to have a real impact.
"We know drought can be a challenge, so we want our communities to be prepared and ready to act with plans in place," Ms Moriarty said.
"Having community-led Regional Drought Resilience Plans, that take into account each region's unique needs, is allowing these communities to build meaningful plans that will make a big difference."
Liverpool Plains Shire Mayor Ken Cudmore welcomed the funding for the next stage and what it meant for communities during the next drought event.
"We know it's hard for people to think about right now when conditions are good, but that's why it's the right time to work with our communities and businesses to prepare for the next prolonged dry period," he said.
"This is when we need to put steps in place that will enhance our communities' resilience, and I thank everyone in advance for helping contribute to the next stage of this important project."
Consultation with residents across the two shires last year as part of the finalisation of the Regional Drought Resilience Plan identified mental health first aid training, increasing membership of volunteer groups, tree planting and boosting vegetation ground cover as key priorities.
These will all form part of Stage 2, along with the development and establishment of a Regional Resilience Taskforce.
Gunnedah Shire Mayor Colleen Fuller said putting measures in place now that could help communities and residents endure the challenges of drought was an important step forward.
"We all remember how hard those recent terrible years were - the never-ending dry, the dust, the stress, the economic pain. So, what we're looking at now, over the next six months, is starting to put in place practical things, that by working together will increase our readiness and resilience next time," she said.
Tamworth-based consultancy Sefton's is supporting the delivery of the project priorities before the end of the year.
Copies of the Regional Drought Resilience Plan are available from the Gunnedah Shire and Liverpool Plain Shire councils' websites.
Caption: The Sulmans' sheep run to get their evening feed in Breeza during drought in September 2018. Image: Sarah Sulman Photography
