Landholders attending a one-day workshop in Walgett last month are reassessing the adequacy of their existing domestic and farm water supply after hearing how much water is lost to evaporation and seepage.

The 17 farmers from the Western and Namoi catchments were keen participants in NSW Department of Primary Industries’ (DPI) new ‘Farm Water Supply and Climate Risk Training Package’ currently being rolled out across the State.

Developed by NSW DPI advisory officers and delivered with irrigation officers the workshop is part of a $4 million project funded by the National Action Plan for Water Quality and Salinity.

The joint Catchment Management Authority-NSW DPI project is designed to boost landholders’ capacity to manage drought and dry periods and is one of three options being offered to landholders who apply for incentive funding.

Landholders must be registered in their CMA’s drought program to qualify for the training.

People travelled long distances to attend the workshop at Walgett - some as far Narrabri.

NSW DPI advisory officer at Dubbo, Luke Beange, said the course examined the fundamental requirements of farm water supply and was pitched at the user level.

"The first half of the day was devoted to water quality and climate risk, with the second half covering water supply, water budgeting and farm water planning," Mr Beange said.

"Because the information was new to these dryland farmers, they were very interested in the material presented because it would help them make an informed decision on how to spend their funding.

"One of the workshop’s most practical elements is working through simple formulas to calculate both farm and domestic water requirements and water use.

"Most participants found the highlight to be a water audit of their farm which helped them work out the effectiveness of their present water supply system.

"Armed with this knowledge, these landholders can now decide if and how their water supply system needs to be improved."

Farm Water Supply and Climate Risk Workshops have already been held in seven locations across NSW - Cobar, Nyngan, Albury, Berrigan and Deniliquin, Broken Hill and Balranald - with more scheduled.

The workshop is a key element of ‘Building landholder capacity to manage drought and climate change projects’ run by Namoi, Border Rivers and Gwydir, Murray, Central West, Lachlan, Murrumbidgee, Lower Murray Darling and Western CMAs. 

People wishing to attend a workshop should contact their local CMA. Further information on the ‘Farm Water Supply and Climate Risk Training Package’ can be obtained from Paula Charnock, NSW DPI, Wagga Wagga, PH (02) 6938 1923.

Media contact: Annette Cross, NSW DPI Tamworth, (02) 6763 1243 or 0427 201 840