John Revington, The Channon
A big thank you to Rous County Council (RCC) for acting quickly on the preliminary planning and implementation of the diverse water options in its revised Future Water 2060 plan.
With this new plan, and further uptake of new programs and technologies, RCC and this region could become leaders in innovative water management that does not rely on outdated, expensive and risky solutions. I hope that in the near future RCC will review the rules governing its application of water restrictions during dry times and implement an advanced water efficiency program. These initiatives could significantly reduce the demands placed on new supply sources, and this would greatly reduce the tensions that have divided the community.
The recent talk at Primex Field Day by Rous’ Future Water Project Manager, Michael McKenzie, (www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnrS98ECd2Y) explains the numerous scalable and cost-effective options that RCC is now pursuing. He also provides clear rebuttal of the misinformation circulated recently by a local pro-dam lobby group. It is a pity those who signed the pro-dam group’s petition and submission forms did not access the information provided by RCC.
With the local government elections coming up in September, candidates will have to show that they are fully across the new direction for water security in this region. Anyone proposing a return to ‘big new dam’ options will be a laughing stock.
