ERROL PARKER | Editor-at-large | Contact
Locals in the NSW north-west have today defended the honour of their Peel River, after several visiting city types described the waterway as a bit pissweak.
Following a week of light drizzle and upstream releases, the usually modest river has swelled to what Tamworth Regional Council described as a more respectable size.
“It’s a grower, not a shower,” said Council Ranger Brett O’Neill.
“People come up from the city and expect the fucking Amazon. They’d be surprised with how little the Murray is until about Mildura. It’s a working river, mate. Not a set piece. It’s not a thick, heavy, river. It’s practical.”
O’Neill’s comments come after a visiting inner-west couple was heard describing the Peel as “just a wet gutter with ducks,” while taking photos near the Kable Avenue footbridge.
“This is worse than the Cooks [River]. It’s more like Wolli Creek.”
Locals say they’re used to this kind of criticism.
“Same thing every spring time,” said retired cattle buyer Darryl French.
“They rock up with their Tiguans and other bent automobiles and think they can judge a river by its girth on a dry week. Everyone knows that length makes a good river.”
Despite measuring just knee-deep in some parts, hydrologists say the Peel remains a functioning inland waterway and should not be discounted based on first impressions.
“Like many rivers in regional Australia, its flow is highly variable,” said a spokesperson for WaterNSW.
“But that doesn’t mean it’s not doing its job. Take a look at that levy bank, it’s that high for a reason. When it floods, this river will fucking kill you.”
More to come.
