Coffs council to approach state, federal ministers as water security concerns on agenda

A northern NSW council has reached out to the state and federal governments as concerns about regional water security grow in the region and further afield. Here’s the latest.

Greens councillor Jonathan Cassell asked councillors to support a Notice Of Motion at Thursday’s Coffs Harbour council meeting. Picture: Facebook

Coffs Harbour councillors have voted to approach the state and federal water ministers to request the NSW government fund a water quality risk assessment and assist with funding.

It comes after Greens councillor Jonathan Cassell raised his concerns the regional will be left in the lurch when hit by drought.

The Nymboida River. Coffs water supply centres around Karangi Dam, filled with raw water from Orara River, Nymboida River or Shannon Creek Dam.

He asked City of Coffs Harbour: “How long is our water supply going to last if we had no significant rainfall?”

Mr Cassell received council correspondence, seen by the Coffs Coast Advocate, that contained a fairly stark response.

“Council told me that assuming that dams are 90 per cent full at the commencement of drought water can be supplied at the full rate for approximately two and a half years,” Mr Cassell said.

Greens councillor Mr Cassell told the Advocate water security was not only about the quantity, but the quality of water available to residents.

It comes as Clarence has also been dealing with its own water woes and residents have called on the NSW government to take action to remedy particularly poor water quality.

A 2011 anti-mining protesters at Karangi Dam, a key source of water in the region. Picture: Leigh Jensen/Coffs Coast Advocate

At Thursday’s council meeting Mr Cassell asked councillors to get on board to secure the city’s water quality and quantity by way of a Notice of Motion.

The council voted unanimously to a simplified version of the notice: Drinking Water Assessment in a Climate Em

The council planned to write to the Minister for Water Rose Jackson – who is also North Coast Minister – to request the NSW government fund a risk assessment

The assessment would look into the impact of different land uses on water supply.

It was also agreed the council would write to the Federal Water Minister Tanya Plibersek seeking collaboration with the state to contribute to funding.

Coffs isn’t the only northern NSW area dealing with concerns about water supplies. Picture: Luis Tosa

Earlier, Mr Cassell said he was concerned about the Coffs water supply and drinking quality especially regarding the impacts of logging.

“The intense logging that we’re seeing on the mid north coast, we don’t know the impact because there’s no information or evidence,” he said.

“But we can (find out more).”