At a public question and answer session at Berrigan Golf and Bowling Club on Saturday, Southern Riverina Irrigators chair Gabrielle Coupland challenged the Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack, and NSW Member for Murray Austin Evans on government plans to tackle the drought.

“The environment has had so much water through floods not that long ago and they have a 30 per cent carryover at the moment, is there an opportunity for us to buy some, borrow mightn’t be the option buying might be the option,” Ms Coupland said. 

“I don’t mind what questions you’re asking I just need to know if the question is being asked?”

Mr Evans, who worked in irrigation and water management before entering Parliament, said the “harsh reality” of water was it could be provided for use only when it was available and he confirmed the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder had been asked about making water available.

Ms Coupland said accessing Environmental Water could mean the difference for irrigation farmers to finish winter crops or grow fodder for stock.

“It’s not going to be a thriving year but I think that if we could do that the state as a whole would be in a much better position and will be in a better financial position at the end, when it does eventually rain,” she said.

Mr McCormack, who was invited to speak before The Nationals’ Farrer Electorate Council annual meeting in Berrigan, said the federal and NSW governments were both working to provide drought assistance.

“David Littleproud, the Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources in the Federal Government, is working very closely with (NSW regional Water Minister) Niall Blair to see what we actually can do as far as water allocations are concerned … in the immediate future but also longer term, Mr McCormack said.

“I’ve got a lot of faith in Niall Blair. He understands the Riverina region … he’s aware of the situation too. I’ve spoken to him just this week about what we can do going forward.”

The meeting heard the drought would soon lead to higher checkout prices.