URGENT: NEW SUBMISSIONS DUE NOW
Deadline 28th May
SUPPORT the Revised Water Plan
STOP the destructive Dunoon Dam
Three ways to submit your feedback
Write a submission in your own words
Highest Impact &
most flexible
Learn the issues & put them
in your own words
Submit feedback through Rous website form
High impact
Quick (5mins)
If you are clear on what you want to support & reject go here
Click & Send Pre-written Online Submission
Slightly lower impact
Quickest
If you have little time, but want to make sure your voice is counted
Revised Rous Water Plan rejects Dunoon Dam,
however it’s not over yet…
While the Dunoon Dam was voted to be removed from Rous’ Water Plan (IWCM) in Dec 2020, and again in the rescission motion in Feb 2021, it could still rear its head again. There is is a pro-dam movement, unfortunately sharing misinformation.
We need to work together to ensure true drought-resilient water security from a mix of diverse sources, not all eggs in one dam basket.
Give your feedback/submission to Rous … yes, again!
The Revised Future Water 2060 Report is now open for 8 weeks of public feedback (open from 1 April to 28 May). It is time to submit your feedback AGAIN! Yes, if you did a submission last year, you must do another one!
We need to clearly express our SUPPORT for the revised Future Water 2060 plan, while also reiterate our reasons for rejecting the Dunoon Dam proposal. We want to see the Dunoon Dam gone for good.
If you oppose the destruction of rare rainforest & Widjabul Wiabal cultural heritage, and understand that drought resilience only comes from a mix of diverse water sources (some being rainfall independent), please take the few moments to give your feedback to Rous.
Scroll back up for the three easy ways to put in your own submission.
The quickest and easiest way is using our 2min Online Submission form.
Moving forward to a Resilient Water future…
Let’s support Rous County Council in seizing the opportunity to be a leader in contemporary water management.
The decision to drop the proposed Dunoon Dam means saying:
Yes to Aboriginal people. The decision drew a line at obliteration of burial sites and land full of significance to Widjabul Wia-bal people in our community.
Yes to keeping koalas and platypus alive.
Yes to preserving endangered rainforest communities.
The Rous Board’s decision now opens up a wonderful opportunity for healing. Widjabul Wia-bal people have suffered such enormous losses. The time has come for them to regain ownership of the land on which their ancestors have been laid to rest. This land can now be returned to their custodianship.
Widjabul Wia-bal Elders say No Dunoon Dam
Rare rainforest communities (6.7% of remaining 1% of Big Scrub)
Rous has done some good groundwork on the untouched deep aquifer in the Alstonville Plateau for interim supply while other sources are implemented. This would free up the upper aquifer for use by farmers.
Rous is moving towards options such as rainfall-independent water re-use (Purified Recycled Water), and improving efficiencies, and desalination as back up. We have an opportunity now to create the diversified and resilient water system needed for this century.
Having finally made the decision to ditch last century’s dam, it makes no sense now to retain the land at Dunoon. Let’s move on.
Now we start on the next leg of our journey to get a sustainable and resilient water system.
What you can do now…
As we continue on the next leg of our journey to get a sustainable and resilient water system
- Support Widjabul Wia-bal people in regaining ownership of the land where their ancestors lie
- Give feedback/submission (yes again!): Support the revised Rous plan now that it is out on public exhibition (since April 1st). >Access submission guide & example here< Closes 28th May.
- Get informed: Increase the number of people who understand that water resilience means a range of smart water options. Increase understanding of new technologies. (Browse our Menu tab “Smart Water Options” to get informed)
- Get Involved: For more ways on how you can help ensure the dam never goes ahead, please go to Get Involved page
Until we get a 21st century water system, dam plans may re-emerge
This is why we need to continue to work together as a community and with Rous and local governments to see the smart water options roll out, and to counter misinformation and divisiveness.
Remember when, 12 years ago, few people understood renewable energy? Remember how it was misunderstood? That’s where we are with water systems.
We have so much to gain from making the shift to a system with a mix of strategies, so that when the next drought strikes, we have several water options to draw on, instead of sinking all our money into a single catchment of Rocky Creek.
Few things are more important than water security. Will you join us?
This is what is still at risk until the Dunoon Dam is gone for good
Cultural Heritage
Significant Cultural Heritage, including burial sites, would be completely submerged.
Read More>
Rare Rainforest
1% of Big Scrub rainforest remains. The dam would destroy 6.7% of that 1%.
Read More>
Endangered Fauna
Loss of habitat and life of threatened species of flora and fauna – including koalas.
Read More>
Our Water Security
Water experts say new dams are high-risk and do not provide drought resilience.
Read More>
The proposed 50GL dam which would have flooded 267 hectares of rainforest, eucalypt forest and farmland between The Channon and Dunoon.
Rous supplies bulk water to Ballina, Byron, Lismore and Richmond Valley council areas.
There are already reports that show the dam would obliterate Aboriginal Heritage, and destroy rare rainforests that comprise part of the Big Scrub Rainforest, of which just 1% is left.
The Dunoon dam is last century’s thinking. We value water at every point of its journey. We want a water system to be proud of, one fit for the 21st century that gives us true resilience in a changing climate.
Now it’s time to shift fully to Diverse Water Options
This is what the experts say…
All Options On The Table
by Water Services Association of Australia
The recent report All Options On The Table from Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) describes dams as high-risk investments because they rely on rainfall in a changing climate. Instead, WSAA says, we need a mix of strategies, including water efficiency. For resilience in drought, it’s better if new supply is independent of rainfall, such as water recycling or green-powered desalination.
Professor Stuart White, Director of the Institute for Sustainable Futures at UTS, recommends that Rous County Council invest in system-wide water efficiency
Professor White has many years of experience advising water authorities around the world. This kind of system-wide efficiency investment has proved effective in achieving supply-demand balance.
Sydney Water did it. Remarkably, they were able to supply an extra 950,000 people, while maintaining water use at levels 25 years before the investment project. Think about that! By optimising water use, close to a million people were accommodated – with no increase in consumption.
WHO ARE WE ?
WATER Northern Rivers is an alliance of citizens and groups who want a suite of modern water options for our region. We are committed to a water system fit for the 21st century, one we can be proud of.