Council is adopting an
integrated approach. Using less water (
demand management) is a step in the right direction, and installation of
water efficient appliances and
rainwater tanks has been made mandatory in all new developments. Installations are also encouraged for existing homes, and Council is saving water by increasing the amount of
recycled water used each year. But these measures will only delay the need to augment our current water supply system – it will not avoid the need.
Council is undertaking an extensive assessment to determine the best way forward. To date Council has
researched nine options to augment the water supply. Four of those options have now been short-listed for further consideration.
The short-listed options are:
- Raise the height of the existing Clarrie Hall Dam
- Build a new dam at Byrrill Creek
- Connect to the South East Queensland (SEQ) Water Grid via a pipeline
- A combination of pipelines to Rous Water and SEQ Water, plus Groundwater Supply.
The four short-listed options will be investigated in more detail and significant community input will be sought in order to determine the most acceptable option to be put to Council for adoption. Council will base its decision on the results of a more detailed assessment of the four options. The assessment will entail:
- More detailed information and studies
- Community consultation
- More detailed Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA)*
Following completion of the assessment, a preferred option will be recommended to Council for adoption.
* An MCA is an analysis method that is useful where complicated options create lots of “grey areas” and it is difficult to make clear-cut decisions. For instance one option may be more cost effective but be less socially acceptable; another option may reduce habitat loss but increase greenhouse emissions – an MCA helps to determine the “best” option in these situations.
Determining a preferred option is the first phase in augmenting the district’s water supply with each subsequent phase becoming more focused and requiring greater investment of time, resources and expenditure. The steps are
shown graphically in a flowchart and can be summarised as:
- Determine a preferred option
- Gain development approval for that option
- Design, construct and operate the scheme.
We are currently at the first phase of assessing the four short-listed options where Council is carrying out more detailed studies and engaging the community to inform the assessment process. The object of this phase is to determine a preferred option for adoption by Council in early to mid 2010.
The aim of subsequent phases is to fine-tune the preferred option. During these phases there will also be opportunities for the community to become involved to inform the fine-tuning process.
Council recognises the importance of augmenting the district’s water supply and wants the community to provide advice and become involved from the early stages of the process. You can become involved in each stage of the process, however the focus at present is the first phase.
Council is looking to the community to provide advice and to help identify the environmental, social and cultural impacts of each of the options and how each might be managed.
You are invited to be involved:
- Become informed by visiting this website, Council’s offices in Tweed Heads and Murwillumbah, or local libraries for detailed information. Our operators are also available to answer your questions on Freecall 1800 826 267. New information will be made available as it comes to hand.
- Become engaged and be kept informed of developments by registering your interest here, on Freecall 1800 826 267, or by sending an email to WaterTSC@tweed.nsw.gov.au
- Become involved by nominating for the Community Working Group (CWG) or by contacting and supporting your representative on the CWG to ensure your voice is heard.
- Finally, have your say by making a submission either by email, in writing or by calling Freecall 1800 826 267 and recording a 30 second verbal submission.
Submissions will close on Friday 26.03.2010.