Gwydir Valley Irrigators Association (GVIA) is unhappy with the government's lack of responsiveness and communication to farmers and communities in regards to the recent rainfall and subsequent flooding across the valley.
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Late Friday afternoon, February 7, the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment's Water division applied an embargo for the first time on overland flow via a text message.
Farmers have been left confused with the lack of clarity surrounding sudden rule changes as well as the lack of consultation and information to help farmers be compliant with the new rules.
"A lack of communication from the Department meant that farmers struggled to understand how they could be compliant," GVIA executive officer Zara Lowien said.
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"A perfect storm of events subsequently unfolded over that weekend, when predicted rainfall actually fell in a small section of the valley adding up to more than 200 millimetres for some.
"For those who live on the floodplain; floods and flood damage can be expected. The combination of intense rainfall on the drought-stricken landscape, created localised flooding not consistent with the rainfall being measured. This fast-moving flood, coupled with fear of prosecution, caused heightened concern with those on the ground.
"The stress for those impacted farmers was caused fundamentally because no one knew how the rules applied including the Department, who has subsequently issued clarifying statements to landholders. Farmers essentially had no where to turn for answers because it was without consultation and the rain fell on a weekend."
Matt Wannan's property out past Bullarah had a total of 283mL of rain over five days, with 175mL falling in a four hour period.
That rain caused a lot of run off and significant structure damage on his property.
"It's been frustrating to have that level of damage across the farm and not be able to utilise the water that's coming down stream," Mr Wannan said.
"You feel like you've got nothing to show for it."
Mr Wannan said "I think all irrigators are in the same boat" with the level of frustration at not being able to access the water flowing down stream, along with the lack of communication from the government.
"Along with the embargos they've kept on, it's been terribly frustrating," Mr Wannan said.
"And not giving us a target of what they're trying to achieve. If they could give us an understanding, I know the government wants it flowing down the Murray Darling, but if they give us indicators,' when it gets to this point we'll open it back up', it would be a lot easier.
"There's just no communication."
Ms Lowien understands some people's concerns and the need for the water to flow down stream, but said that "ill-informed commentary from people not impacted by the flood, is intentionally damaging and disrespectful."
"We understand from a community's perspective that this is about critical human needs which is towns and people and critical environmental aspects," she said.
"But when you're in flood that's really hard to kind of understand whether those critical needs are still remaining."
Water NSW has confirmed 55,000 megalitres has flowed in the Barwon River in Collarenebri, while flows of up 15,000 to 35,000 megalitres are predicted to make Lake Wetherell within the Menindee Lakes system.
"Despite this information, flows from rainfall upstream in the Gwydir River are still being managed to divert water between the Carole creek and Mehi River for downstream needs, with the objective to meet up with the receding floodwaters," Ms Lowien said.
"Under the water sharing plan, these excess flows would have been shared equally between the environment and licence holders.
"Given the low ability of these systems to carry water without flooding out, we have residual water that cannot be diverted into them from the Gwydir River.
"This water is breaking out and created localised flooding on farms west of Yarraman over the weekend. We are now experiencing water breaking out of the Carole creek and Mehi River too, as the systems are being pushed to their limits.
"Water breaking out of the river or creeks in a natural event can be expected. But the Department in their determination to continue to top up downstream flows, has made the direction to push the limits of these systems with no regard to whether that's efficient delivery of water or our local community.
"Whilst a small and limited access was made late Friday, the time taken to assess, make the decision then implement has resulted in a waste of precious water."
Ms Lowien said the government must do a better job at communicating how they manage temporary water restrictions.
"We all need a clearer process where Department's last minute decisions doesn't throw farmers under a bus," she said.
"It's time the bureaucrats - the decision makers here - show leadership and discuss these critical matters.
"They must learn from this and demonstrate to farmers everywhere, how they will ensure it doesn't happen again."