1 Introduction

Water is essential for individuals, communities, and the environment to thrive. MidCoast Council (Council) currently provides around 9 billion litres of high-quality drinking water to residents and businesses each year. The economic health of our region is inherently linked to the security and quality of its water resources. Households need access to clean water for consumption, cleaning, and leisure. Businesses and farmers use water for agriculture, oyster farming, lifestyle, and tourism activities.

Our natural landscapes and ecosystems enhance the liveability of the region and are highly reliant on healthy waterways. Natural features such as wetlands play an important role in maintaining water quality, as well as preserving the environment and providing an amenity to the community. We are committed to conserving the natural heritage of the region and managing its water resources sustainably to support the health and resilience of its ecosystems.

Our growing region puts additional pressure on Council’s water and sewer infrastructure and services. Our water supplies are a particular risk, with significant challenges being experienced in the most recent drought. This issue will likely be exacerbated by population growth and the unpredictability of climate change over the next 30 years and beyond.

Who we are

Located on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales, Council’s geographical area covers more than 10,000 square kilometres and extends from the coastline, west to the escarpment of the Great Dividing Range. The region encompasses 195 towns, villages and localities. The Biripi and Worimi people are the traditional owners of the land.

We are home to a permanent population of 97,090 people with a population density of 9.65 persons per square kilometre. Around 90% of our permanent population is serviced by our water and sewer systems. Our population serviced by water and sewer is expected to grow by around 48% by 2051. Our coastal towns and villages experience tourism during the school holidays, particularly over the Christmas period.

Compared with the rest of regional NSW, the MidCoast has a lower proportion of children under 18 years and a higher proportion of people aged 60 or older.

In terms of employment, in 2021 36,351 people or 44% of people living in the MidCoast Council area over the age of 15 were employed, compared with 56% for regional NSW.

In 2021, 69% of households in the MidCoast Council area were purchasing or fully owned their home compared with 66% across regional NSW, and 18.7% were renting privately, while 2.6% were in social housing compared to 21.7% and 3.8% respectively in regional NSW.

Approximately 6.7% of our population identify as Aboriginal, compared to 6.1% as the average for regional NSW.

The ‘big picture’

In the summer of 2019 and 2020 the MidCoast region experienced a drought like no other.

The combined impact of the worst drought on record and the ‘Black Summer’ bushfire crisis triggered the longest continuous period of water restrictions in the region, setting a new record with restrictions in place for five months and 20 days. Level 4 restrictions were also introduced for the first time. The response highlighted two key learnings: that the events were a reminder for Council to consider a wider range of water security measures, and that our community is willing to collaborate and adapt to change if the need arises.

Following the 2019-20 drought we conducted a comprehensive review of our Drought Response Strategy and implemented the following:

• Community education programs that highlight the value of water and promote more efficient water use to collaboratively conserve water

• Increased use of recycled water for stock watering and open space irrigation

• The Nabiac Borefield expansion project initiation, which is currently being delivered

• Formation of a water resilience team dedicated to improving the water security across the MidCoast region

• Planning for the provision of emergency desalination if needed in the short term

• A comprehensive review of the Integrated Water Cycle Management (IWCM) Strategy, the long-term strategic plan for the sustainable and affordable delivery of water services over the next 30 years.

The Our Water Our Future 2050 report represents the outcome of the IWCM strategy review. This journey of strategy development began in 2020. It involved many collaborative efforts between the community and our regulators. The results are presented in this strategy