I am grateful for the support of my fellow Councillors, who resolved last Thursday to turn what I consider is a ‘first sod’ towards NOT building the proposed new urban water supply dam known as the DuD (Dunoon Dam). On-stream dams are an outdated way of harvesting water from the environment. If the DuD is built, the dam wall will obliterate an area of significant First Nations heritage on a pristine reach of waterway. I’m reminded of the Jugun Caves in WA.
Despite the majority of councillors on Rous (our regional bulk water supplier) favouring the DuD, our Shire has an opportunity to lead the way by not increasing its draw on Rous’ water. That decreases the incentive for the DuD.
Byron Council took step one last week towards retaining our Shire’s internal (non-Rous) water source, at Lavertys Gap, which currently supplies 14 per cent of this Shire’s urban water. There are various scenarios for the future of the Lavertys Gap source. They range from closing it down to expanding it – adding an off-stream dam.
The more of our own water we provide, the less incentive Rous has to build the DuD. It’s that simple.
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. 
