WATER Northern Rivers Alliance says despite decades of objection, Rous County Council (Rous) have just commissioned yet another heritage and biodiversity study in the Rocky Creek valley, between Dunoon and The Channon, in the heart of the Northern Rivers. However, this time, Rous’s heritage study is specifically seeking to excavate the registered, ancient, and sacred Widjabul Wia-bal cemetery.
WATER Northern Rivers says that for the first time, landholders are now ‘locking their gate’ by not allowing Rous or their consultants (Everick & Ecosure) physical access to their properties.
Resident Jan Petroff is refusing access to her property. ‘Considering there have already been extensive studies into the biodiversity and cultural heritage aspects, we regard this (the 2024 study) as a totally unnecessary waste of taxpayers’ money and a great inconvenience to all concerned, as this has already been going on for close to twenty years now.
Intrusion or destruction of sacred burial grounds completely unacceptable
‘Widjabul Wia-bal elders have made it very clear that they regard any intrusion or destruction of their sacred burial grounds as completely unacceptable. My family and I respect this, and will not be willing to allow access to Rous Water on our property now or in the future.’
A WATER Northern Rivers spokesperson said Rous’s consultant, Everick Heritage, are known locally for their heritage reports at the centre of other controversial ‘zombie developments’ such as, the Evans Head Iron Gates and North Lismore Plateau residential developments.
‘They also say that Rous’s tender document (p5) claims they received a request from Widjabul Wia-bal People to commission an Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment for the proposed Dunoon Dam project area.
A statement from the Widjabul Wia-bal Gurrumbil Aboriginal Corporation
However, the following statement has been provided from the Widjabul Wia-bal Gurrumbil Aboriginal Corporation on behalf of Widjabul Wia-bal: “Widjabul Wia-bal Gurrumbil Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC strongly oppose the Dunoon Dam project. Widjabul Wia-bal Gurrumbil Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC do not support Rous County Council engaging Everick Heritage to undertake a further Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Survey of the area. If a further Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Survey is undertaken by Rous County Council, this must be done in direct consultation with Widjabul Wia-bal Gurrumbil Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC and adopt all recommendations made by the RNTBC on behalf of Widjabul Wia-bal.”
Please explain
WATER Northern Rivers is asking Rous to please explain this apparent contradiction?
WATER Northern Rivers says that there is no support from Traditional Owners nor is there a social licence. ‘We now challenge Rous to show our whole community just cause as to why they’re prepared to waste more of our public funds on a dead-end pipe dream. We believe this is yet another shameful waste of public resources in a long liturgy of abusing cultural heritage.’
A WATER Northern Rivers spokesperson said NSW’s recent Far North Coast Regional Water Strategy does not mention a dam at Dunoon, instead, it focuses on a range of other supply sources, including the underutilised Toonumbar Dam. ‘Rous would do well to reflect on Tamworth’s recent experience with their proposed Dungowan Dam. In this case the NSW Minister for Water, Rose Jackson, said that the “numbers didn’t stack-up”.
‘Rous might also consider that over the last three years, in Queensland, four proposed dam projects have either been cancelled or lapsed: Connors River Dam, Emu Swamp Dam, Nathan Dam, and the proposed Traveston Crossing Dam.’
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