The politicians were part of a parliamentary inquiry, which sat in Moree on Monday, investigating the status of water in NSW, and how its future can be secured.

Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MLC and committee chair Robert Brown said where ever he went in regional NSW, the underlying problem was the availability of water.

“In Moree, the primary product is cotton and cotton is an export earner for the state – export dollars are important to us,” Mr Brown said.

“Over the last decades, cotton producers have done a huge amount of work in reducing the amount of water used per yield, but have exactly same problems as Peel Valley irrigators.

“They don’t have sufficient security for their water supplies and that effects their investment. Unless we can solve the problem, we’re probably going to be in a bit of trouble in 50 years’ time.”

The inquiry will wrap up in November and the committee will put its recommendations to the government.