The Lismore App 'Dunoon Dam Poll' is proving as controversial as the debate between councillors at Rous Country Council, the group who supply water to our homes.

Since the poll was launched at 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon we have received 540 votes with 62.6% in favour of including the Dunoon Dam as part of Rous Council's 'Future Water Project 2060' plan while 37.4% of people are against the inclusion.

(The Lismore App poll results as it stands at 8am 5th May 2021)

The Lismore App Facebook page has seen a lot of engagement between the two groups with the Lismore App itself questioned for running a web poll and for running a poll that some determine as being too late for the discussion.

A simple web poll is only an indication of views from some Lismore App readers, it does not represent the entire community.

Rous County Council is currently asking residents for feedback on their Integrated Water Cycle Management Strategy until May 28, 2021. The purpose of the Lismore App poll is to encourage as many readers as possible to submit their thoughts, as it is historically underrepresented given our population. As an example, Rous County Council services 47,000 properties or 110,000 people and until 9am this morning they had received 865 responses which represent less than 1% of the people they supply water to.

So, whether you are For the Dunoon Dam or Against it, you should have your say and get your voice heard so that the Rous County Councillors know what the community is thinking. After all, councillors represent you the taxpayer (two councillors are nominated from each of the constituent councils (Ballina, Byron, Lismore and Richmond Valley).

You can submit your thoughts to Rous County Council by:

• Online - Click here for the link to the submission papers.

• By email

Download the specific submission form if available, complete and email to [email protected]

Or write an email submission including the following details:

• your name and address;
• name of the plan or document you are commenting on;
• a statement as to whether you support or object to the proposal; and
• the reasons as to why you support or object.

• By post

Download the submission form if available, complete and post. Or write a letter including the following details:

• your name and address;
• name of the plan or document you are commenting on;
• a statement as to whether you support or object to the proposal; and
• the reasons as to why you support or object.

Send your submission to:

General Manager

Rous County Council

PO Box 230 

Lismore NSW 2480 

• In-person

Hand deliver your formal submission paperwork to: 

General Manager

Rous County Council

218-232 Molesworth Street

Lismore NSW 2480

While the Dunoon Dam debate sits around cost, rainfall, ecological issues and cultural heritage, household water usage is another area that is a focus for Rous County Council while the larger decisions are still to be finalised.

In 2021, we have stated that Rous supplies 110,000 people living in 47,000 households. By 2060, that is expected to increase to 150,000 people living in 67,000 properties. Water usage will increase from 11.5 gigalitres to 16 gigalitres, Rocky Creek Dam capacity is 14 gigalitres.

Since 1995, we have become a lot more water conscious. We have reduced individual water consumption by 50% and the thought is there is another 15% reduction that can be achieved.

Smart Metering will be rolled out to 2000 direct customers from now over a 2-year period. This enables households or businesses to monitor their daily water usage and for Rous to better monitor leaks.

From a personal level, Rous County Council wants to reduce the amount of water used per person per day from the current 195 litres to 160 litres.

While the water security debate continues and more options are explored, we can all do our bit to limit the amount of water used on a daily basis which will help during the years of less rainfall and less water in Rocky Creek Dam.