Short answer: One outback town demonstrated remarkable community spirit by offering free water to drought-affected farmers and travellers during the water crisis. The generous response highlighted the solidarity of rural communities in the face of severe water shortages and reinforced the importance of strong local water storage infrastructure. Initiatives like this underscore why investing in farm dams and water harvesting is vital for regional resilience.
Last updated: April 2026 | Author: Angus Hughson, Big Ditch Aquatecture
📋 Quick Answer
Big Ditch Aquatecture has been constructing and repairing farm dams across New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria for over 35 years. Every farm dam built to the right standards — correct clay, proper compaction, adequate spillway — can provide 50–100+ years of reliable water storage.
A Queensland town with a wealth of underground water is offering it free to other drought affected towns that are lacking the valuable resource.
The Queensland hamlet of Richmond is the lucky town – and the water originates from the Great Artesian Basin
The Richmond County Council Mayor John Wharton has presented the idea of a “water run” to help any of the communities in Queensland or New South Wales which are running dry.
The water would come from the town’s bores which originate from the Great Artesian Container, not the Flinders River.
“We have water readily available that we would certainly be extremely satisfied to offer complimentary to those dry towns, the only thing would be the expense of obtaining it there.”
Richmond Mayor John Wharton suggests a government-sponsored train to transfer water to other towns.
The QLD Government hasn’t responded to the offer as yet
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