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Byron Shire
March 29, 2024

Urban water supplies

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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 On-stream dams are an outdated way of harvesting water from the environment.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. 

Duncan Dey, Main Arm


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3 COMMENTS

  1. Though not a supporter of Dunoon dam, it is contradictory to praise lavertys gap water source as it is a weir over building a dam.

    • Its a bit of a joke isn’t it, surely if your against the Dunoon Dam then Laverty’s Gap should be decommissioned as well. I am a long term green supporter turned away from the likes of Duncan, all they do is provide negativity, no real world solutions, just a load of political huff and puff.

  2. Don’t need a dam at dunnoon. It’s just dog whistle ing to their base , coalition mates. No substance they know it’s never going to happen, , all bluster to tread on the little guy..Be seen to be an arsehole , that’s the résumé you need to join the coalition . That old dam above Mullum , fantastic , it’s already there . With a hydro power system , wasted. Those old guys were clever and built it strong to last. Probably Origion won’t he able to charge for it so it’s off the agenda . . Big polluting business pulling the strings of the coalition and all the affiliated local councillors sucking up to them like lap dogs. Same with the train , where is it , we need it, it’s already there . To much greed . And paid trolls. trump trolls .

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