The Dunoon Dam. Probably the most controversial topic that we, as a community, have had for a number of years.

Over the last month, the Lismore App has received a number of Letters To The Editor either in support of the Dunoon Dam being included in Rous County Councils 'Future Water Project 2060' plan or against the Dunoon Dam being built. We have heard from some prominent people in our society like Nan Nicholson, Dr Ros Irwin and Col Baker. You can read their thoughts here Blogs/Letters.

A few groups exist to promote their cause like the Our Future Northern Rivers who is pro-Dunoon Dam and the No Dunoon Dam group with an obvious against stance. You can check out Facebook to find out more about these groups.

We often hear from different people and groups that they represent the community but what does that mean? I have often heard this term being used during council meetings as councillors put their views forward about a certain issue. Is it 100 people, 1000 or even 10,000? and where is the proof in what they are saying?

The population of the Northern Rivers is 296,531 with the number of residents supplied by the Rous County Council water system numbering 100,000. The Dunoon Dam affects every one of those people so we should aim to really hear what the community wants.

The Lismore App has posted a poll on our Facebook Page, it is a very simple poll with only one question, "Should the Dunoon Dam be included in Rous County Councils 'Future Water Project 2060' plan." You answer YES or NO.

As a media organisation, we have no vested interest in the outcome but would like to reveal where our readers sit in the issue. Please share this link with everyone you know so we can reach a large portion of the population. You can even share this story by clicking on the top right-hand box (with the arrow) and select messages, email or Facebook.

Keep reading for some background on the Dunoon Dam story.

Rous County Councils mission is to secure our region a high-quality drinking water supply for future generations and continue to deliver ongoing water conservation measures.

Their website has a great deal of information as to why we need to secure other sources of water for our future. Rous state that our population growth forecasts indicate a 37% increase in drinking water by 2060. Climate forecasts predict a reduction in available surface water by 22% by 2060. They also state that our current growth will exceed reliable supply by 2024, a time frame not too far away.

This led Rous County Council to look at securing our water supply through the following options:

1. Ground water sources.
2. Recycled water.
3. Desalination.

The Dunoon Dam was included as an option with the above three options, however, Councillors for Rous County Council voted for removing further investigation of the Dunoon Dam option.

The reasons given were that a known water source used since 1953 (when Rocky Creek Dam was built) would cause no further investigation into the above recent water options.

There are cultural and environmental impacts that the Dunoon Dam would have at the proposed site.

Nan Nicholson, a rainforest botanist, says that we would lose part of a koala habitat as well as 34 hectares of rainforest which represents 6% of the remaining 1% of the Big Scrub. Nan also mentions a very detailed Cultural Heritage Impact Assessment that was completed in 2013 where they found Widjabul Wia-bal gravesites.

As you can see, this is quite a complex issue from a social, cultural and environmental viewpoint.

Cost is another issue that is easily thrown around by both sides. The estimated cost of the Dunoon Dam is $220 million. Those opposed to the Dunoon Dam say this will blow out as do most large construction projects. The estimated costs of the groundwater and recycled water projects are not yet known as more investigation needs to be done, however the Beenyup Advanced Water Recycling Plant in Perth, W.A. was estimated at $160 million to produce 14 gigalitres of water, which incidentally is the volume of Rocky Creek Dam. Before you get too excited our region does not have a permanent groundwater source as the Perth project does. The research so far suggests it would produce 1.275 gigalitres which is nowhere near enough to secure our future water supplies. Desalination plants are very expensive with the Sydney plant budget being $1.86 billion, which does not cover the very expensive running costs of the desalination plant.

While cost estimates are not known for all of our water supply options, it is accepted that groundwater and recycled water options will be more expensive than a dam. How much, we don't know but the cost to each household will increase.

As I have mentioned before, this is a complex issue that needs reading and understanding before a sound opinion can be made.

Rous County Council is taking your feedback on the Future Water Project 2060 now until May 28. Your feedback will be given to councillors at the following Rous County Council meeting so they can make the decision on which direction our water supply should take.