Tweed Shire Council to hold Clarrie Hall Dam raising community information sessions in early February

The long-anticipated raising of a North Coast dam to alleviate water security concerns as the Tweed’s population continues to grow is crawling closer to fruition. Here’s the latest.

Clarrie Hall Dam. Picture: Nolan Verheij-Full

The long-anticipated raising of a North Coast dam to alleviate water security concerns as the Tweed Shire’s population continues to grow is crawling closer to fruition.

Tweed Shire Council has invited the community to learn the latest about the proposed 8.5 metre raising of Clarrie Hall Dam at Murwillumbah and Uki information sessions early next month.

Clarrie Hall Dam.

The flagged raising, which has proven controversial, has been on the agenda for years, but some movement is underway.

Council’s engineering director David Oxenham said in a statement the team completing the final stages of an environmental impact assessment will answer questions and chat about the project.

“We’re now at the business end of assessing the impacts, with independent consultant KBR finalising the studies required to lodge an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) with the NSW Government, which we’re planning to do in mid-2024,” he said.

“I encourage the community to drop into the sessions at any time when they are being held to discuss the proposal with the team and ask questions.”

The council approved the NSW Public Works Advisory concept design proposal to raise the dam in early 2017.

Tweed’s population expected to reach more than 128,000 by 2031, putting demand on the local water supply.

The council will lodge the impact statement with the NSW Department of Housing, Planning and Infrastructure in mid-2024, and it will be placed on public exhibition.

Clarrie Hall Dam.

“The community can raise issues while the EIS is being prepared and during its public exhibition,” Mr Oxenham said.

“After exhibition, the NSW Government will consider the submissions, the EIS and other documents submitted as part of the application for approval to raise the dam.

“If the NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces approves the project, it will be subject to conditions of that approval. Community submissions can also influence those conditions.

“If NSW Government approval is obtained, the elected Councillors will decide whether to progress construction.”

KBR studies have been covering cultural heritage, biodiversity, flooding, water quality, hydrology, traffic and road safety, noise, air quality, social impact and climate change.

A map showing the proposed inundation area should the dam wall be raised.

The potential impacts of constructing and operating the dam, and possible mitigation measures, have also been under scrutiny.

Communities surrounding the proposed Uki project site have recently been mailed an update by the council.

Meanwhile, more information is available on the council’s website.

The information sessions will be held at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, 1473 Kyogle Rd, Uki from 4pm-6.30pm on Tuesday, February 6, and at the CWA Hall, 20 Queens St, Murwillumbah from 12pm-2pm on Wednesday, February 7.