However in December 2009 Wingen has hit the headlines because for the first time in years the bores have run dry and along with residents all over the Upper Hunter region, Wingenites are having to truck their water in.

The Newcastle Herald reports:

Herald weather expert Don White said there was little hope of relief, with the Hunter expecting a very dry, hot summer.

Mr White said rainfall was predicted to be less than average, temperatures above average and evaporation levels increasing.

The Upper Hunter Shire Council implemented level one water restrictions in Scone and Murrurundi on Thursday.

Read the report in the Newcastle Morning Herald

The residents of the small Riverina town of Booligal and farmers in surrounding areas rely on the Lachlan River for their water supply, but without significant rains especially hundreds of miles away in the Lachlan’s headwaters, the river will dry up in the next few weeks. The Wyangala Dam about 40 kms south-east of Cowra is now effectively dry.

Bores are being drilled at Booligal and surrounding towns including Forbes, Lake Cargelligo and Ivanhoe, but the bores may not be sunk before the water completely runs out. Farmers in the region however, are being literally being hung out to dry, facing huge bills just to purchase water for household use and drinking.

Can a water crisis in western Sydney be far away? Despite the Carr,, Iemma, Rees, Keneally government mantra of “Dams, Recycling, Desalination and Water Efficiency”, Sydney’s water reserves continue to fall by around 0.5% per week. Barring significant replenishment we are looking at severe restrictions and hugely increased costs for householders (desal water is very expensive) within a few years – perhaps only 18 months. Needless to say neither the ill-considered lifting of sensible water restrictions by Rees in early 2009 nor constant population growth encouraged by the federal government’s baby bonuses and unfocussed immigration polices is going to reduce the risk of a crisis.

Cattle farmers Matt and Sandra Ireson were interviewed on ABC Radio National Breakfast today.

They run a property at Booligal in the New South Wales Riverina. The Iresons are among the hundreds of farming families who rely on the lower Lachlan River for their water supply. But the river is running dry. Heartbreaking drought and a contentious decision by the New South Wales Government to stop the River at Condobolin has slowed the Lachlan to just a trickle.

You can listen to the interview at Booligal big dry