Rous County News Today

The winners of the NSW Ministers’ Women in Local Government Awards for 2021 were announced in September. The awards commemorate […]

Byron Shire Mayor, Michael Lyon, and Deputy Mayor, Sarah Ndiaye, have been elected as Byron Shire Council’s delegates to Rous County Council at the

Since Rous County Council voted to abandon the Dunoon Dam as a potential solution to the future water needs of the Northern Rivers, a new group has emerged called Our Future Northern Rivers. As of this morning, 74 people have liked the group on Facebook and it has 103 followers. Austin Curtin. Photo supplied. Tregeagle macadamia farmer Austin Curtin stood unsuccessfully for the Nationals in the state seat of Lismore at the last election. He is the spokesperson for Our Future Northern Rivers. M...

Premium Content Subscriber only The Dunoon Dam has twice been rejected by Rous County Council as an option to secure future water supply for the Northern Rivers, so why does it remain a topic of heated debate? Lismore City Council heard a motion at its meeting this week, requesting the council support the dam being put back on the table for consideration. The motion was not successful, with five of eight councillors voting against it, but there remains a push from some sectors to see the dam re...

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. "...

Premium Content Subscriber only Theres more than one reason the debate over the Dunoon dam and future water resources runs deep. Its why the dam gets ping ponged between councils across the Northern Rivers and back to Rous County Council for another look. Everyone knows there is going to be winners and losers if a dam is chosen over aquifers and vice versa. Maybe neither of them is the right option. Its also looking like a turf war between Lismore and Ballina over which town is top dog in ...

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...

Plans for a potential dam at Dunoon sparked a major debate across the Far North Coast, causing it to be scrapped by Rous County Council. But many still believe it's the wrong decision, and worry about the region's future water supply without it. by Georgia Schefe | NBN News-News, Sport & Weather

Lismore in flood recently. Photo Duncan Wilson. With heavy rain falling across the Northern Rivers this week, the risks faced by people living in floodplain areas are again coming into focus. This week Echonetdaily spoke to Dr Nathan Kesteven, President of Whian Whian Landcare, about the potential of the Northern Rivers Watershed Initiative to mitigate flooding and also improve the health of local rivers. He explained that the initiative has been in the works since the Lismore floods of 2017,...

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 ...