Rous County Council extends deadline to comment on proposed Dunoon/Channon dam until 9 September 2020

Proposed Dunoon Dam site. Google Earth overlay. Image: Echo NetDaily, 14 July 2020 

In July 2020 Rous County Council announced the proposed Future Water Project 2060 – a $245 million plan the county council states will future-proof the community’s drinking water supplies.

The revival of the concept of a second dam on Rocky Creek, near Dunoon, sparked debate across the Northern Rivers and the Dunoon Dam Proposal Action Group was formed.

Local of 25 years Carol Shipard founded the Dunoon Dam Proposal Action Group after being involved in successful protests to ward off unconventional gas at Bentley. She’s concerned about the impacts on the area below Whian Whian Falls and on indigenous cultural sites,including a burial ground, and many endangered species of flora and fauna.

The Daily Telegraph, 11 August 2020, p.11:

A community group opposed to a possible dam in Dunoon have continued their push to raise public awareness surrounding the issue.

The proposed 50 gigalitre Dunoon Dam is part of Rous County Council’s Future Water Project 2060 but has caused controversy, with the group concerned about the project’s impacts on sacred Aboriginal sites and The Channon gorge.

The group held a stall at The Channon Markets on Sunday — the first time they held an official activity against what they describe a “destructive dam”.

“People need to be aware that it’s happening here, it’s like (800m) from the bridge near here,” group member Terri Nicholson said.

The group is urging Rous County Council to investigate alternative water conservation methods.

“Some of the alternatives are strong demand management, use purified, recycled water, water tanks to name a few,” Ms Nicholson said.

On Friday, the proposal’s submission timeline was extended until September 9 by Rous County Council for the public to have their say.

Details on where to send a submission can be found here.