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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.
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.