Small town seeks big help
Farmers and residents around the NSW town of Caragabal are lobbying state and federal governments for funds to secure their water supply.
They want to set up a water scheme to pipe agricultural and domestic water from a nearby artesian water supply.
Caragabal Water Scheme Committee secretary Kylie Taylor says 40 landholders have already signed up to participate if the water scheme goes ahead.
“They want to find a secure water source for the community, and for the village as well,” Ms Taylor said.
“We don't have a reliable source of water.
“In the past we have relied on rain water, but we are seeing a decline in rain water run-off and a continued decline predicted, so we need security for the future.”
But Ms Taylor said the financial cost of the water scheme was too much for locals to cover.
“It's a huge, huge spend. We have put together a business model and we are looking for an input from government of $1 million.
“The problem is, these grants always call for things like financial records from three years and previous experience.
“And we are just a new organisation.”