Echonetdaily has been contacting Rous County councillors for their arguments for and against the proposed Dunoon/Channon Dam project.
While Byron’s Rous Cr Simon Richardson is among those who have not yet revealed a position, Lismore representative Cr Darlene Cook (second from right in above pic) was happy to share her views this week, as one of eight Rous Country councillors who have had more time to study the detail of the Rous Future Water Project 2060 than most.
Cr Cook said, ‘Dams by themselves are not the solution. I want to see increased funding for water tank rebates, water waste education, demand management programs, and continued partnerships with high water users in our region to find alternate sources of water for manufacturing and cleaning.
‘I also want Rous to increase lobbying of general purpose councils to encourage rollout of purple pipes plumbing in greenfield developments in the region and continued lobbying for the NSW government to permit trials of potable reuse in this state.’
More assessments needed?
Cr Cook noted that Rous County Council has so far only done initial geological, cultural and environmental assessments on the feasibility of the second recommendation, the Dunoon Dam, which Rous has suggested could supply the region with general use water through to 2115.
‘It is acknowledged that there are some problems identified in those assessments but nothing that indicates that the project absolutely cannot go ahead,’ she said.
‘At this stage I am leaning towards supporting Rous undertaking the full environmental and cultural assessments that will be required prior to any approvals being sought from the government.
‘This involves Rous spending millions of dollars in the next 5-10 years with the knowledge that any one of those assessments could raise an issue that is a complete project stopper.
‘Importantly we need to remember that approval for these assessments to be undertaken is not approval for the dam to be built,’ she emphasised.
‘The solution to future water security cannot just be the dam,’ said Cr Cook. ‘We must have a multi-pronged approach to water supply and use and a complete change of culture and attitudes towards water.’
New photos of threatened upper section of valley
With many people in the wider community still unaware of what the environmental areas to be inundated actually look like, Echonetdaily went downstream from the popular tourist spot of Whian Whian Falls on Rocky Creek this week (photo gallery below).
The area includes threatened species and pools said to have been used in pre-colonial times for birthing and ceremonies.
The Rous Future Water Project 2060 is currently on public display.
Public comments are welcome, and can be made until 9 September 2020 here.
Echonetdaily is seeking comment from the other Rous County Councillors who have not yet made their position clear.
You can see more of the country that would go underwater if the dam is built here and here.
Photos David Lowe
More stories about the Dunoon Dam
Dunoon dam and future water strategies to remain contentious on Rous
The election of Byron Shire Councillors Mayor Sarah Ndiaye and Elia Hauge to the Rous County Council (RCC) will see them working with six other elected councillors from Ballina, Richmond Valley and Lismore Councils with a key issue of contention being the Dunoon dam over the next four years.
Ballina mayor vies for second term ‘leading the rebuild’
Ballina Shire’s mayoral race this September looks to be a competition between two women, one progressive, the other conservative, after both candidates announced campaigns last week.
How to supply water to the increasing population?
It is predicted that the next 40 years will see the demand for water increase by 50 per cent in the local government areas that Rous County Council supply with water.
Is our drinking water supply threatened by Dunoon Dam?
Most people don’t know that the proposal for Dunoon Dam has never been part of Rous County Council’s 40-year, adopted, strategic plan to increase water supply, resilience and security, known as Future Water Plan 2060.
Will the Dunoon Dam go ahead?
We have not heard much about the Dunoon Dam lately and many people are asking ‘What is happening with that dam?’
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
