Janine Taranto, Wilsons Creek
I have serious concerns about the health of our waterways in general and in particular of Wilsons Creek on which I live.
I know we have been in drought and have experienced lower than average rainfall for a number of years. I know there is a press release indicating the imminent need to impose level one water restrictions on Mullumbimby.
My concern is that this is not enough, or soon enough. No water coming out of the dam to feed the river. The river needs to be a healthy ecosystem with at least some flow. There are platypus and other wildlife in the river.
It seems the trigger point for water restriction to the town must be way too high if they have not yet been imposed and the river is drying up. The trigger point seems to be about the level of water in the dam to feed the town, and not about the health of the river.
What are Council’s, and the communities’ obligations to care for our river systems and wildlife? Surely restrictions need to be in place long before we reach this point?
The health of the ecosystem on which we, and the flora and fauna, depend needs to have a higher priority.
I’m also concerned that more and more development is being approved in Mullumbimby and surrounds and I want to know where the water for this is going to come from? Each house will have flush toilets and showers, and we clearly do not have enough water now.
Many of, if not most of, the inhabitants of our Shire are living here because they value the natural world around them, and sadly we are not doing enough to care for it. In some towns I have heard that it is mandatory for new homes and housing developments to have compost toilets and water tanks installed. This is worthy of consideration.
I hope we can raise awareness and commit to action before it’s too late – especially for our platypus.