While we are (ironically) currently experiencing a minor flooding event this week, the issue of guaranteed water supply into the future is one to be discussed at tonight's Rous County Council meeting.

The local water authority will table the plan to adopt the integrated water management strategy, which is part of The Future Water Project 2060.

It's been a contentious issue in our local community, with the new plan proposing increased groundwater use, water reuse and the long-proposed Dunoon Dam.

So far, many people in the community have expressed opposition to the plan for a new dam at Dunoon. When the Future Water Project 2060 was put on public exhibition this year, from July to September, it attracted nearly 1,300 submissions from community members.

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Widjabul Wia-bal Traditional Owners

Some of the people opposed to the new dam are Widjabul Wia-bal Traditional Owners.

Widjabul Wia-bal Elder John Roberts was one of the stakeholders consulted in 2011 about the impact of the Dunoon Dam on cultural heritage.

"We do not accept the building of the proposed Dunoon Dam, which would inundate ancient burial sites and evidence of occupation in the past and in recent times," Mr Roberts said.

"In the 2011 Cultural Heritage Impact Assessment prepared for Rous, we stakeholders said with one voice that no level of disturbance was acceptable to us.  We still say that.  Nothing has changed. There is no need for another study.

“Our cultural heritage is a direct connection to our ancestors.  We have been here for thousands of years.  These sites provide us with a link to our traditions, our land and our living heritage.  They allow us to educate our young ones in their history.” 

Elders' decision

Mr Roberts said a unanimous decision of Elders and Widjabul Wia-bal people was given to the Rous general manager last week, insisting that Rous County Council abandon plans for the Dunoon Dam.  

“So many of our cultural sites have been destroyed," he said. "To destroy more is unacceptable to the Traditional Owners.

“We are tired of being ‘consulted’ and then ignored.  Enough is enough”.

John Roberts and niece Cindy Roberts.

Widjabul Wia-bal collective

The Widjabul Wia-bal collective insisted that Rous County Council no longer deals with individuals and in future, must consult with the whole stakeholder group.  

"Rous agreed to provide all correspondence between Rous and the Widjabul Wia-bal representatives since the dam was first mooted in 1995," Mr Roberts said.

Barry Roberts, John Roberts’ elder brother, said that Rous County Council’s plans for the Dunoon Dam are the same as the Rio Tinto’s actions at the Juukan Cave in Western Australia.   

“We believe that the Australian people will not allow this destruction of our heritage to go ahead," he said.

Public submissions considered

Rous County Council Chairperson Keith William said "Councillors will consider the plan in light of the outcome of a 10-week public exhibition of the Future Water Project 2060".

"The outcomes of the public submissions will be carefully considered by Council together with the Future Water Strategy 2014 that was developed at the time through extensive stakeholder and community engagement," he said.

“Council greatly appreciates the time invested by constituents and residents in the community who made a submission.

“The recent public exhibition has informed the community of options to secure water for the region’s future. 

“This was an opportunity to update the community on Council’s work since the Future Water Strategy 2014 was adopted. It was also an opportunity for Council to acknowledge the community’s concerns and aspirations."

In a public statement, Rous County Council also said "The Future Water Project 2060 is considered the most viable combination of solutions to ensure a safe, affordable and sustainable future water supply for major parts of the Northern Rivers".

The combination of solutions in the integrated water management strategy include:

i) Immediate actions 

4.1.1 Water Loss Management Plan 

4.1.2 Smart Metering 

4.1.3 Marom Creek WTP and Alstonville groundwater site 

4.1.4 Marom Creek WTP upgrade 

4.1.5 Alstonville groundwater site 

4.1.6 Contingency option – Woodburn groundwater coastal sand scheme

ii) Ongoing action 

4.2 Enhanced demand management and water efficiency program 

iii) Innovative action 

4.3 Perradenya Estate pilot purified recycled water scheme 

iv) Investment action 

4.4 Detailed assessment of the proposed Dunoon Dam