Inverell Shire Council meeting begins with strong debate on water advocacy

Inverell councillor Kate Dight didn't mince her words as debate surged around her motion to join two water advocacy groups, one specifically for local government organisations.

Her submission was three fold: that the council investigate the cost and opportunity to become a member of the Murray Darling Association (MDA).

Two: that council accepts the invitation of the Southern Inland Water Alliance to join this group, and three: council contact Regional Development Australia "indicating the relevant skill sets that are required to service Inverell Shire Council's industry and economy for the future".

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Council voted to only adopt the third section.

And while some councillors commended her detailed submission to council, many were strongly vocal against joining more groups without knowing the "cost benefit" to the Shire's ratepayers.

The first to speak in opposition to Cr Dight's motion to join the MDA was Anthony Michael, saying the almost $5000 joining fee could be "used in better areas".

"I don't think council would have much say in a group this size," he said.

"I am not sure we have enough irrigators in our system to warrant the outlay."

He was followed by Crs Mal Peters, Neil McCosker and Stewart Berryman in "disagreeing" with Cr Dight that joining the MDA group would benefit the Shire.

"The issues that Cr Dight raise are extremely important and they need strong advocacy, but I can tell you ... through my personal, first hand experience, unless they've changed substantially, they are a bloody waste of space."

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Cr McCosker said he "agreed entirely" with Cr Michael, and that Cr Peters "hit the nail on the head", while noting the effort Cr Dight had put into the submission.

In relation to joining the Southern Irrigators Group, noting it was more a 'southern QLD' group including Tenterfield and Inverell rivers, Cr Dight was adamant joining this group was important for the Shire - especially in a time when the water industry is "growing with innovation, adaptation and adoption" with "policy and legislation being formulated for the future".

"This is one [group] specifically for local government. So if we are having any intention of trying to alter or advocate or remand changes to regulated water, from a local shire's point of view, we need to do it via a local government advocacy group. Which would be this one," she said.

"It really needs to be stated that the whole northern part of our shire is very dependent on the whole catchment that runs into the border rivers, and it is a huge agricultural basin for our Shire.

"And that needs to be well said and stated."

Mayor Paul Harmon reflected after the meeting that he was happy with the outcome.

"I think there was some healthy, robust discussion," he said.

"I think arguments on both sides made productive and compelling cases, and I think we came to the right outcome."

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