Paul Bibby
Tweed Council will vote tomorrow on whether to continue its fight to ban commercial water extraction in the Shire.
The Council has been lobbying the State Government to change the Local Environment Plan (LEP) to outlaw the practice.
Such a change requires approval from the NSW Water Minister, Melinda Pavey.
Late last year the Council wrote to Minister Pavey request that all licences for bulk water extraction for commercial water bottling be temporarily suspended’ in the Tweed Shire.
Council’s motion highlighted that there were many waterways with low/no flows in the Tweed Shire.
Drought conditions have since eased significantly, raising the question of whether the push to ban extraction need continue.
However, the Northern Rivers Guardians community group argues that the campaign should continue to ensure the long-term sustainability of water resources in the Shire.
It is calling on locals to attend tomorrow’s council meeting at the Tweed Heads chambers starting at 5pm to lend their support to the campaign.
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