Future Water Plan News Today

Premium Content Subscriber only Extracting 1.2GL of water a year from the Alstonville Plateau aquifers should not affect farmers in the area or the amount of water available in nature, says Rous County Council chairman Keith Williams. The measure is part of the Future Water Plan 2060, currently on public exhibition. "The overall capacity of the aquifer is estimated to be about 650GL, or 6500 megalitres," he said. "Its estimated that the aquifers receives 50G of new rainfall per year. "That...

Premium Content Subscriber only Underground wells from Alstonville and Tyagarah will be the main source of water for the Northern Rivers if the Dunoon dam is removed from the Future Water Plan 2060. Other possible water sources Rous has been discussing could come from Newrybar and Woodburn extraction sites. Rous County Council’s chairperson, Keith Williams, supports the idea the region’s future water supply is safe without the dam. “The documents released by Rous last year for the Future...

Premium Content Subscriber only The deputy chair of Rous County Council has made a plea to Northern Rivers residents to voice their support for the Dunoon Dam. Ballina Shire councillor Sharon Cadwallader made the request via social media, asking people to email Rous County Council and show support for the project. Cr Cadwallader is one of three Rous councillors who have tabled a rescission motion to bring the dam back into the Future Water Plan 2060. "Please help me to help you by emailing ...

The full statement by Widjabul Wia-bal traditional custodian reads: "We, Custodians of Widjabul Wia-bal lands of the Bundjalung Nation, and neighbouring tribes, want you to know that the area to be affected by the proposed Dunoon Dam is significant to us, to our people. "We need to protect this land. It is important to our ancestors and for our future generations to be able to connect to our ancestors and traditions. "This land holds our relationship with our living heritage and culture. "...

A notice of motion was introduced by councillors Sharon Cadwallader, Eoin Johnston and Stephen McCarthy. The recommendation from Ballina will be sent to Rous County Council. "(Ballina) council has major concerns about a secure water strategy for the region and ask that Rous County Council continue with further investigations as to the viability of the Dunoon Dam proposal," the statement voted in today reads. "The groundwater on the Alstonville Plateau has many demands on it and should not b...

Rous County Council meeting yesterday. Zoom screenshot. With numbers locked yesterday, the Chair of Rous County Council (RCC), Keith Williams, voted to prevent the contentious Dunoon Dam project proceeding, at a not-so ordinary Rous meeting in Lismore. The meeting began with deputations against the dam from Duncan Dey, Bianca Urbana and Cindy Roberts, who was representing the Widjabul Wyabul traditional owners of the affected area, between Dunoon and The Channon. Ms Roberts said, ‘As we gath...

Premium Content Subscriber only A RESCISSION motion may put the controversial Dunoon Dam project back on the table to Rous County Council. The motion would try to revert a decision taken by Rous councillors on Wednesday to "cease all work" and remove the controversial 50GL dam from the long-term water strategy for the Northern Rivers. Richmond Valley Mayor and Rous councillor Robert Mustow confirmed today he is preparing to submit the motion. "I can confirm my intent to submit a rescission ...