RVC mayor says Lismore’s dam stance is a ‘burden’ on other councils

Richmond Valley mayor says the Dunoon Dam proposal should not have been taken off the list of options to secure water in the future. Here’s why.

A 3D version of what a possible Dunoon Dam would look like is available from the Rous County Council website.

The mayor of Richmond Valley Council, Robert Mustow, has slammed the decision to remove the Dunoon Dam proposal from the future water strategy for the region.

He shared his thoughts on the Rous Future Water Strategy 2060 in a letter to the editor, below.

It is on public exhibition until May 28.

Richmond Valley Mayor Robert Mustow shares his thoughts on the Rous Future Water Strategy 2060. Picture: Dylan Robinson

I had previously made a decision not to become involved in the letter writing on the Rous Future Water Strategy 2060, however after reading some recent misleading and inaccurate information being distributed I feel I must respond.

These statements are about the Dunoon Dam proposal which was unexpectedly rejected by Rous councillors after many years of studies which have come at a great cost to our community.

1. Firstly ‘The Dam is the most costly option’.

Dunoon Dam has been identified as the most cost effective (Whole of Life) option, it is approximately $200 million less than the next cheapest option of bore water. The other preferred options of desalination sea water and recycled sewerage are much more expensive and these are being championed by both Lismore councillors who are delegates on Rous.

I find this difficult to comprehend as Lismore currently has the most expensive water charge per kilolitre in NSW and if their proposed draft budget currently on public exhibition is adopted, Lismore water customers could have the highest water charge in Australia at $4.44 per kilolitre.

These preferred options will see a massive increase in cost for Lismore ratepayers in the future and make it difficult to attract new business and industry and also be an increased burden on other Rous constituent councils Ballina, Byron and Richmond Valley.

2. ‘The dam proposal needed to be stopped due to cultural heritage and environmental concerns’.

These issues were identified in the Cultural Heritage report which has been peer reviewed and previous environmental studies that came at a significant cost with recommendations that further engagement and studies to be undertaken.

3. ‘The 50 Gigalitre Dam is a Mega Dam’.

Compared to other dams in NSW, the Hume Dam is 3,038GL, Warragamba Dam 2,031GL, Menindee Dam 1,794GL the proposed 50GL Dunoon Dam is a small dam in comparison.

4. ‘The Dunoon Dam has previously been overwhelmingly rejected by Rous Councillors and the community on many occasions’.

The only time this has occurred at council was unexpectedly last December, actually in June 2020 it was unanimously endorsed by councillors to be placed on public exhibition. The decision to remove the Dam from the original strategy was made based on a response from under 1 per cent of Rous’ constituent population.

I believe community members who supported all options including the dam did not submit a submission as further studies on the dam were identified to be carried out in the draft June 2020 document.

5. ‘Rous has licences for all of the groundwater bores’.

This could not be further from the truth. There will need to be costly investigations into securing further licences at all identified sites which include Alstonville Plateau, Woodburn and Tyagarah which is adjacent to nature reserve. Many government agencies will be involved in this approval process.

Also the desalination plants identified for Ballina, Lennox Head and Tyagarah, which is inside a marine park, will also be subject to costly investigations and government approvals. Desalination is identified as one of the most expensive water sources due to enormous ongoing operating costs.

6. ‘Recycled sewerage is currently being used as direct potable water’.

This is not currently occurring in NSW or anywhere in Australia due to public health guidelines by the Departments of Health.

For me one of the most disturbing outcomes of this failure of local governance is that Rous has resolved to dispose of all the land which has been acquired through natural acquisition over 20 years, this is almost 50 per cent of the required dam site.

If the other options are not viable through lack of supply, community concerns, environmental issues, government approval or cost prohibitive and the dam land is disposed of, what water security will our region have for the future?

It’s decisions like this that leads to the NSW Government stepping in and they may need to, so that this land is mothballed until all studies are completed and a clear pathway for a future affordable and reliable water source is proven to be achievable.

Cr Sandra Humphrys, Cr Sharon Cadwallader and myself support the current options in the draft Future Water Project 2060 now on public exhibition but feel that the proposed Dunoon Dam unfinished studies should also be included to ensure information for Rous County Councillors of the day can make a fully informed decision.

If you feel the cost of water is becoming a burden & prohibitive (especially in Lismore) I urge you to make a submission to Rous County Council for the proposed Dunoon Dam to be included so all options are on the table.

Submissions close on May 28.

Robert Mustow

Mayor of Richmond Valley Council.