The irony of opening Yenda's East Mirrool Regulator on Friday during a drought was not lost on the many residents who turned up for the official ceremony.
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But jubilation was flowing just like the water out of the gates, with President of the Yenda Progress Association Kay Pellizzer saying it's "finally" restored her "peace of mind".
"Now all we need is a good flooding rain to help our farmers, and see how great these gates really are," she said.
"Cr Dal Broi said there would never be another flood in Yenda, and this step is the icing on the cake."
Resident farmer Lui Forner had one main word to describe the long-awaited completion: "brilliant".
Having been on the Flood Plain Committee since it's inception, he said while the process was long, the results would be well worth it.
"Until this day, Yenda has been classified as a flood plain, meaning insurance premiums were much, much higher than they should've been," he explained.
"With this here and operational now, we can wait for those fees decrease."
This East Mirrool Regulator was a $1.2 million collaboration bringing together Murrumbidgee Irrigation, Griffith City Council, with State and Federal government contributions.
This project is a testament to what can happen when all three tiers of government work together.
- Mayor John Dal Broi
Mayor John Dal Broi said this ensures flood mitigation measures have been implemented and the gates reinstated.
"We are currently experiencing drought conditions across the State, however the fact is rain will come and we want to do our best to ensure the events of 2012 do not happen again," Cr Dal Broi said.
"This project is a testament to what can happen when all three tiers of government work together."
Councillors were joined by Farrer member Sussan Ley, Cootamundra member and Deputy Premier's Parliamentary Secretary Steph Cooke, with Murray member Helen Dalton in attendance.
"Giving Griffith Council this assistance certainly helps regain some control over the water flow and minimise the impact of any future flood event," Ms Ley said.
Ms Cooke said it was "wonderful to be part of a NSW Government which is working in tandem with the Commonwealth and Griffith City Council in order to future-proof this area when flooding rains return."
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And as for making sure the insurance premiums get reduced, Ms Dalton said she was ready to swing the bat.
"I will be having conversations with the insurance companies," Ms Dalton assured.
"Yenda needs to be reassessed for flooding - which should never occur again. This is a good outcome for the community."
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