Byron Shire Council being less than transparent over a proposal to cut more than 30 shire residents off from a reliable town water supply as a cost cutting measure

 

Echo, 10 July 2024, Residents face being cut from Mullum’s water, excerpt:

More than 30 affected residents say their properties are at the bottom of Wilsons Creek and some areas of Mullumbimby Creek, and they were only told they will likely be cut off from town water after questioning Council staff about the Mullumbimby Water Supply Strategy.

Spokesperson for the Wilsons Water Rights Action Group (WWR) Mel Macpherson said she was shocked to find out from a neighbour about Council’s plans to remove their connection to town water without any direct written or verbal communication.

‘One would think the appropriate action for Byron Shire Council would be to talk to us individually, and let us know that their preferred water strategy means cutting us off – for the 30 residents this has drastic ramifications, we have a right to know.

‘I honestly feel the communication from Byron Council has not been acceptable at all. This decision directly affects our health, businesses, infrastructure and property values. Relying on us to scan social media or listen to the radio to find out we are getting cut off has left me baffled.

‘I only found out because my neighbour who has lived here for 90 years told me, and knew the history of the weir and local infrastructure, and noticed this in the water strategy plans......

Echo, Letters to the Editor, Losing town water access,13 July 2024:

I grew up and live in Mullumbimby, and I know locals have a strong opinion about the Byron Shire Council. I had always given them the benefit of the doubt – as it’s not an easy job. But last week I changed my mind.

Our neighbour, Ray Musgrave, alerted us and other neighbours we’d be losing town water access on our properties. At first, I thought this was simply the Mullum rumour mill, but I called around at Council and found out it was true. Without any doorknocks, phone calls, or letters, we found out dozens of residents at the bottom of Wilsons Creek, including us, would lose town water access if Mullum is connected to Rous water.

While this decision has not been officially made by Council – yet – we all know it is the likely decision. I work in media and communications, sometimes as a consultant for state and federal government, and I’ll admit that tactics are sometimes a little underhanded, but, when it comes to infrastructure and impacting households like this, there would always be doorknocks to every home at a minimum in the communications plan. So, I’m simply shocked at these sneaky tactics by our local council.

Luckily, we have all been neighbours for decades or generations here and were able to quickly agree to work together to try and save our town water. Wish us luck!

Casey Fung, Wilsons Creek

According to the Byron Shire Council website as of 15 July 2024:

Regional water supply

All urban areas in Byron Shire are supplied water from Rocky Creek Dam, which is managed by Rous County Council.

Mullumbimby is supplied from Council's Lavertys Gap Weir.

Rous County Council supplies drinking water to seven reservoirs in the Byron Shire Council from the Nightcap Water Treatment Plant.

Under the Water Supply Agreement, we are responsible for maintaining water quality in the reservoirs and reticulation system......

The Mullumbimby Water Treatment Plant provides treated, filtered, and disinfected drinking water to Mullumbimby.

The drinking water supply is sourced from Wilsons Creek via the Lavertys Gap Weir.

Water flows to the plant by gravity through a heritage-listed race, via a mountain tunnel.

Council documents indicate approximately 13 properties along Wilsons Creek Road are connected to the trunk main from the water treatment plant.

The preferred option of council staff coincides with advice contained in a Hydrosphere Consulting Pty Ltd report (updated May 2024) which clearly stated in 12.4 Option 4 - Full Connection to RCC Regional Supply:

The customers along the Wilsons Creek Road trunk main would not be serviced with this arrangement.

In an alternative scenario within Option 4 Hydro Consulting suggested an Option 4B - emergency connection to regional supply:

As an alternative, the existing RCC emergency supply pipeline could be extended to service the remaining areas of Mullumbimby as an emergency supply only. BSC would then retain Lavertys Gap Weir and WTP as the normal supply regime with future augmentation with another raw water supply source. The customers along the Wilsons Creek Road trunk main would still be serviced by the weir supply and WTP if there was sufficient water in the weir storage. [my yellow highlighting]

However, Byron Shire Council on its public exhibition webpage did not immediately draw attention to the fact that some properties may lose a reliable long-term connection to town water. 

In the first instance it presented the case thus, with the fate of Wilsons Creek Road concealed in webpage links:

Mullumbimby’s water supply scenarios

The consultant’s report short-listed four water supply scenarios, summarised below.

Each scenario has associated benefits and costs.

Council’s engineering staff recommend Scenario 3 – permanent connection to the Rous County Council water supply.

For each scenario, some factors remain the same, including:

• continued use of the weir and Water Treatment Plant (WTP) in the short term

• short-term WTP upgrades to ensure consistent, safe water supply

• extension of the Rous County Council emergency bulk water supply connection to all of Mullumbimby.

Indeed within its boasting about the benefits of what it calls "Scenario 3" it is clear that the potential loss of a long-term reliable town water supply for 30 shire residents & ratepayers is a short-term cost cutting measure.

Scenario 3 – Full connection to Rous County Council

Rous County Council is the regional water supply authority for the Byron Shire, with the exception of Mullumbimby.

Rous also supplies:

• Ballina Shire

• Lismore Shire

• Richmond Valley Shire.

Permanent connection to the Rous regional water supply would mean that water is no longer sourced from Lavertys Gap weir and the Mullumbimby water treatment plant (WTP).

As a result, there would be no need to build a new WTP at Mullumbimby.

Permanent, full connection to the regional water supply is the option recommended by the consultants and Byron Shire Council staff based on the environmental, economic and social assessment.

Benefits of full connection

Connecting to the regional supply has significant benefits over local supply scenarios. [my yellow highlighting]

Full connection offers:

• minimal environmental impact

• lower energy consumption

• reduced infrastructure modifications.

There are significant capital cost savings in avoiding the need to replace the WTP and upgrade the weir supply in addition to constructing new infrastructure. However, the ongoing costs of a regional supply are higher than local scenarios. [my yellow highlighting]

Permanent connection to the regional supply means Mullumbimby’s long-term water security is determined by Rous County Council's bulk supply system, as is the case for the rest of Byron Shire.

Byron Shire Council is scheduled to decide on its water supply strategy at its August monthly meeting.

NSW Government Reconstruction Authority is seeking community feedback on the draft Disaster Adaptation Plan (DAP) Guidelines.

The NSW Reconstruction Authority is currently seeking feedback on a set of draft guidelines to improve how we plan for and reduce the impacts of disasters in NSW.

The draft Disaster Adaptation Plan (DAP) Guidelines explain our approach to the preparation and implementation of DAPs across NSW and align with the State Disaster Mitigation plan.

We know that successful disaster adaptation planning requires a coordinated, place and community-centred approach. The process outlined in the guidelines for the development of DAPs provide an opportunity for us to work together to enable more effective disaster risk reduction. We cannot achieve this independently.

DAPs will draw together hazard risk information, community insights, and existing plans to reduce natural hazard risks in a defined geographic area. These options might include mitigation infrastructure such as flood levees or sea walls, changes to planning controls on development in certain areas or investing in evacuation capacity upgrades to local and state roads.

The Reconstruction Authority is committed to playing its part, but we know local and regional actors are best placed to make local and regional decisions about the kinds of solutions that we need.

This consultation is about making sure the DAP model and process work for councils, State government agencies, critical infrastructure providers and the community and understanding what the RA can do to help successfully implement it.

Based on the feedback received through this consultation the guidelines will be finalised for release later in 2024.

Together we can chart a course to a better prepared NSW.

Public consultation on the draft Disaster Adaption Plan Guidelines officially started on Monday 1 July and is to finish at 5pm on Friday 23 August 2024. 

A HAVE YOUR SAY webpage has been created which includes an online survey which can be found at at:

https://www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/dap.

Read the draft Disaster Adaptation Plan Guidelines (PDF 6.87MB)

Read a 4 page overview of the draft Disaster Adaptation Plan Guidelines (PDF1.18MB)

Read draft Disaster Adaptation Plan Guidelines frequently asked questions (PDF 185.48KB)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

NSW Government, Media Release:

Major milestones in disaster recovery for Northern Rivers

Published: 4 July 2024

Released by: Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Planning and Public Spaces

Australia’s largest disaster adaptation project on the Northern Rivers has moved into its next phase, with tailored home assessments available to make homes more resilient against flooding.

Under the Home Raising and Home Retrofit stream of the $790 million Resilient Homes Program approximately 370 homeowners have been identified as eligible for home raising or retrofit.

A key recommendation of the NSW Flood Inquiry, home raising reduces risk by raising homes to reduce the frequency of potential flood related damage, while home retrofits reduce risk by refurbishing homes to better withstand flooding.

The NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) is working with leading architect for flood resilient design, James Davidson from JDA Co, to establish the program and develop guidance for home raising and retrofit work. After receiving their free in-home assessment report, homeowners can appoint their builder of choice to deliver works suitable to their home to make it more resilient to future flooding.

Eligible homeowners will be granted up to $50,000 for a home retrofit and $100,000 for a home raise with a dollar-for dollar co-contribution between the RA and homeowners, up to a maximum of $100,000 for retrofits and $200,000 for home raising.

In addition to this program, the highly anticipated North Lismore development has been announced as the latest site to be released through the $100 million Resilient Lands Program and will deliver around 85 home sites.

This follows previous announcements at East Lismore, Goonellabah, Brunswick Heads, Casino and Lennox Head, with more than 2,800 housing sites now in the planning pipeline across the Northern Rivers.

North Lismore will be master planned and developed in consultation with the community, taking into consideration the site’s environmental, biodiversity and cultural significance.

As part of the supporting infrastructure program, to assist primary producers, up to 100 drains that support agricultural properties across the Northern Rivers are being repaired and cleaned out through the $5 million Northern Rivers Agricultural Drainage Reset Program.

Vegetation build-up presents a serious problem with large drains unable to channel water away from the land.

The program will drive long-term resilience and ensure farmers and communities are better equipped to withstand and recover from future floods. It is being delivered by the RA in partnership with Soil Conservation Service and in cooperation with local councils.

The recovery program is being informed by feedback from the community and the Northern Rivers Community Leaders Forum which was established 12 months ago.

Between August 2023 and January 2024, the RA doorknocked more than 4880 homes across seven LGAs. Pop-up information offices continue to be an important conduit between the RA and the community, with more than 4,339 visitors as of late June.

These changes are expected to lead to better outcomes as the region moves into medium to long-term recovery phase from the 2022 floods.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“What we’re doing in the Northern Rivers is not a simple rebuilding exercise – we’re making significant long-term changes to where people live, how we plan for climate change and how we mitigate future disasters.

“As part of our commitment to disaster mitigation, there’s already been significant progress with the Resilient Homes Program, but there is still more to do.

“As of June 28, 788 buyback offers had been approved and 656 offers accepted, which represents an 83 per cent take-up rate.

“Today we’re announcing that North Lismore is the sixth site for more homes through the Resilient Lands Program and there are more to come.”

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

“During our many visits to the area we have seen the community working together to maintain the unique identity of the region and the strong desire to build back better.

“We established the community leaders forum to guide decision-making and local engagement is informing projects supporting flood recovery efforts and making communities more resilient.

“Across the region a wide range of projects are underway including improvements to evacuation routes which will provide better access for emergency workers and supplies during disasters.”

Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery Janelle Saffin said:

“As chair of the Community Leaders forum I am enormously pleased to see input from that group included in announcements like today.

“Feedback from the community has helped the NSW Reconstruction Authority to develop a more people-friendly, place-based approach to determine eligibility for key programs like the Resilient Homes Program. That is a good thing.

“Repeat visits by my parliamentary colleagues show the reset is progressing in the Northern Rivers and the NSW Government is in this recovery for the long haul.”

Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg said:

“I am pleased that the NSW Government agreed to Council’s call for a ‘reset’ a year or so ago and developed a more community centric approach that has seen the pace of our recovery pick up, although as we all know. We still have some way to go.

"I welcome the announcement on North Lismore that will allow disaster-affected families to build new houses or relocate their existing timber home. The commencement of the Raise and Retrofit program will also be very welcomed by the community.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Community Consultation phase of Australian Governet-funded CSIRO Northern Rivers Initiate has begun for October-November 2022. Concerned residents need to register now

CSIRO, Northern Rivers Resilience Initiative:

The National Emergency Management Agency has engaged CSIRO to undertake a project to understand flood risk factors in the Northern Rivers region of NSW and identify flood mitigation options.

The Australian Government is providing $150 million in 2022–23 for priority flood resilience projects in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales.

The Northern Rivers Resilience Initiative will provide science to inform the investment, through a process to understand the drivers behind the unprecedented flood event in February-March 2022 and develop community-supported solutions for resilience investment.

The has engaged Australia’s national science agency CSIRO to support the Northern Rivers Resilience Initiative, which will consider climate, catchment and hydrological systems, and the broader influences of land-use practice and infrastructure.

This $11.2 million Initiative will enable us to assess different mitigation scenarios, consider the broader influences mentioned above, such as land use, and identify and prioritise options for mitigating flood risks in the Northern Rivers region. A core part of the project is to undertake engagement with key stakeholders to seek their views regarding priorities for investment.

This map identifies the flood-effected Local Government Areas in the Northern Rivers region of NSW where the project will be carried out. Places such as Lismore, Ballina and Grafton are shown

The project consists of two key parts:

1. Rapid review and assessment – Over the first six months, previous studies will be reviewed to identify flood mitigation options across the Northern Rivers region. Each of the seven flood-affected Local Government Areas in the region, Ballina, Byron, Clarence Valley, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Tweed, will be consulted to identify and prioritise the most effective intervention options.

 

Outcome – This work, due in December 2022, will inform investment in the Northern Rivers region in 2022–23, to support recovery and resilience efforts.

 

2. Detailed modelling – This two-year program of work will collate and generate Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data to provide spatial analysis and hydrological/ hydrodynamic modelling of water movement for the Northern Rivers region. It will also involve examining and evaluating possible events or scenarios that could take place in the future, drawing on local knowledge and expertise on the catchment and flooding.

Outcome – In addition to capturing LiDAR data for modelling and analysis of the entire Northern Rivers region, this work will deliver a detailed hydrodynamic model for the Richmond River catchment. The model will be used to investigate a range of possible scenarios and actions to mitigate flood risk in the Richmond River catchment. The final report for this work is due in May 2024.

Community and stakeholder engagement

From July to October 2022 – Engagement with stakeholders will take place by the CSIRO team in the flood affected area. To view the time-line of activity read our factsheet Northern Rivers Resilience Initiative PDF (351 KB)

CSIRO is working closely with Alluvium Consulting, an environmental consultancy, and their local staff, along with NEMA Recovery Support Officers based in the region for the rapid review and assessment over the first six months. Meetings and workshops with local councils and community groups will discuss existing available information, identify other relevant materials on flood risk, and seek community views to inform the research.

To take part in the community workshops register on the links below:

COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS

Sessions are open

All sessions are open for you to drop in any time between 11.00 am to 6.00 pm

Workshop Date Registration

Goonellabah Community Centre, Goonellabah Monday 17 October Register here

Lismore Workers Sports Club, Lismore Tuesday 18 October Register here

Wardell Catholic Church Hall, Wardell Wednesday 19 October Register here

Ballina Jockey Club, Ballina Thursday 20 October Register here

Woodburn Memorial Hall, Woodburn Monday 24 October Register here

Casino Community & Cultural Centre, Casino Monday 24 October Register here

Coraki Golf Club Tuesday 25 October Register here

Maclean Bowls Club, Maclean Wednesday 26 October Register here

If you are a community member and cannot attend a workshop but would still like to participate, you can fill in our online Northern Rivers Resilience Initiative questionnaire 

To contact workshop organisers email nrri@csiro.au 

 Full announcement here. 

Clarence Valley Council community consultation concerning implementation of policy concerning unauthorised memorials on public land - submissions accepted until 4pm on 12 February 2021

Clarence Valley Council, Public Exhibitions, retrieved 31 January 2021:

Draft Memorials and Plaques on Public Land Policy

The purpose of this policy is to provide a framework for the installation of all memorials and plaques on public lands.

The draft Memorials and Plaques on Public Land Policy was considered at the 15 December meeting of Council, where it was resolved to place it on public exhibition for community comment.

Memorials and plaques to commemorate the life of a family member may not have any significance to the broader community. However, the appearance of such memorials and plaques may also be offensive to other members of the community and can have the effect of creating a cemetery appearance on public land. Council has powers pursuant to the Local Government Act 1993 to regulate the use of its public lands.

The purpose of this policy is to provide a framework for the installation of memorials and plaques on public lands.

Objectives in relation to memorials and plaques on public land are to:

• minimise the occurrence of memorials and plaques;

• restrict memorials and plaques to persons, associations or events of outstanding significance to a place; and

• minimise any perceived public risks and environmental impacts of memorials and plaques.

In order to ensure that this policy meets the needs of the whole community we are seeking your feedback on this matter.

To make a submission, click on the ‘Make a Submission’ button below.

You can also send formal submission by mail to the General Manager, Clarence Valley Council, Locked Bag 23, Grafton, NSW 2460, clearly marked “Draft Memorials & Plaques on Public Land Policy"

Submissions close 4.00pm Friday 12 February 2021.

• https://www.clarence.nsw.gov.au/cp_themes/metro/make-a-submission.asp