In a first for flood recovery, a Black Hawk helicopter has been hauling 40 tonnes of boulders to repair Lavertys Gap Weir, which was damaged by the 2022 floods and the aftermath of former Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

The decades-long debate over the future of Mullumbimby’s water supply has been resolved, with Byron Council deciding on a hybrid scheme in which water will come from both the local Lavertys Gap weir and the Rous County Council (RCC)regional supply.

Major repair work is underway at Lavertys Gap weir in Mullumbimby to repair serious erosion along the creek bank, say Byron Council staff.

Seven months ago, the newly-elected Council reversed an earlier decision by the previous Council to abandon the town’s reliance on its local weir at Lavertys Gap (Wilsons Creek) in favour of connection to the Rous County Council (RCC) water supply which serves the rest of the Shire.

Mullumbimby will get its water in the future from the Rous regional supply, rather than the local Lavertys Gap Weir it has been using for the past 85 years, under a decision made by Byron councillors last week.

Dozens of Mullumbimby residents located close to the town’s local water source at Lavertys Gap Weir in Wilsons Creek are uniting against a recommendation by Byron Shire Council staff to disconnect the town’s local water supply.

A member of a committee that advises Byron Council on water and sewer issues says she is concerned that Council staff are bypassing community consultation and water and sewer committee advice, and are again pushing to connect Mullumbimby’s water supply to Rocky Creek dam, which is managed by water utility, Rous.

A committee that makes recommendations to Council around water and sewage management in the Shire is calling for Mullum’s water supply to remain at Lavertys Gap weir in Wilsons Creek.

Yes, the recent rain is wonderful, but acting on water use restrictions must become our usual way of life, at least until the drought is over.