The Tweed’s $304 million plan to more than double the capacity of Clarrie Hall Dam has cleared a major planning hurdle, as the region races to secure enough water for its growing population.
The NSW Planning Minister has approved the Environmental Impact Statement for the project, which would raise the dam wall by 8.5 metres and increase storage from around 16,000 megalitres to 42,300 megalitres.
Tweed Council says the work needs to be completed by 2032 and could secure the region’s water supply until at least 2065.
The approval follows more than a decade of investigations into the environmental, social, cultural and economic impacts of the proposal.
Council General Manager Troy Green described it as a ‘significant milestone for the Tweed’.
‘Planning for a secure long-term water supply is critical to managing the Tweed’s future growth,’ Mr Green said.
‘With our population continuing to grow and climate change placing increasing pressure on water resources, this project is an important part of ensuring the Tweed has access to safe, secure and reliable drinking water for future generations.’
The approval comes with some urgency.
Council warned earlier this year that demand for water could exceed the system’s estimated secure yield by around 2028, potentially forcing more frequent water restrictions.
The project also remains a formidable financial undertaking.
Its estimated $304 million price tag is competing with a broader Council capital works program worth about $690 million over four years, and a significant proportion of the dam project remains unfunded.
Council has now engaged a consultant to prepare a full business case and project delivery plan to support future funding applications.
A biodiversity offset strategy and other approval conditions must also be dealt with before construction can begin.
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