Border towns have water until May next year, if we are careful

Drought has triggered a release of 12,800 mega litres of water from Glenlyon Dam to secure supply for Goondiwindi, Boggabilla, Yelarbon and Texas.

"This flow will give us guaranteed supply to May June next year if we are cautious with water use age a bit longer," Goondiwindi Regional Mayor Cr Graeme Scheu said.

"If it doesn't rain between now and then it is going to take some finding a supply." Council will review present water restrictions and decider whether it needs to implement next-level restrictions.

"The reassessed drought management plan could well see the next level implemented before the end of the year," he said. Council is looking at a possible bore supply for Goondiwindi which would mean blending bore and river water in order extend the supply for Goondiwindi residents.

"We have established bores at Texas and Yelarbon and also investigating possibilities for Inglewood. Meantime we are monitoring western supplies as well.

"I can only ask everyone to be aware of water conservation measures. We fully realised it will have an affect on the aesthetics of our towns but these are extreme circumstances and may even get worse before it improves," he said.

Natural Resources Minister, Dr Anthony Lynham said the decision to release the water was to bolster Boggabilla Weir and Yelarbon's waterhole, safeguarding the supply for more than 7000 residents in the border towns.

"This is a proactive move, based on current modelling which shows there is a risk that Boggabilla Weir and Yelarbon's waterhole could be dry by end of February 2020," Dr Lynham said. "From this week, residents should see extra water downstream from Glenlyon Dam flowing into the Dumaresq River for the next three weeks and onto to Yelarbon's waterhole and Boggabilla Weir.

"This water release will allow 3600ML to flow into the weir to get its levels up to 100 per cent and the schedule is to release around 800ML of water per day that will flow on a 220-kilometre journey to Boggabilla Weir and top-up Yelarbon's waterhole and others along the river.