Clarrie Hall Dam. Photo courtesy: Sally Hinton
The NSW Minister for Planning, Housing and Infrastructure has approved the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed raising of Clarrie Hall Dam, clearing the way for the next stage of work to secure the Tweed's long-term water supply.
The proposed upgrade would raise the dam wall by 8.5 metres, increasing storage capacity from 16,000 megalitres to about 42,300 megalitres. That is more than double the water the dam can hold today.
Based on current growth projections, the dam wall needs to be raised by 2032 to ensure sufficient water supply for the region. Subject to funding and project delivery timeframes, the project would help secure the Tweed's water supply until at least 2065 and support future housing and employment growth identified in Council's draft Growth Management Housing and Employment Strategy.
Troy Green, General Manager of Tweed Shire Council, says that this project is one of the most important issues for the Shire, now and into the future.
"Planning for a secure long-term water supply is critical to managing the Tweed's future growth. With our population continuing to grow and climate change placing increasing pressure on water resources, this project is an important part of ensuring the Tweed has access to safe, secure and reliable drinking water for future generations," Mr Green said.
"The Minister's approval is a significant milestone for the Tweed and follows years of planning, technical investigations, environmental assessments and community consultation."
The EIS assessed a wide range of environmental, social, cultural and economic considerations and identified measures to avoid, minimise and offset impacts where required. More than a decade of investigations informed the project, including hydrological modelling, biodiversity assessments, cultural heritage studies, social impact assessments and engineering design work.
Assessment of alternative water supply options concluded that raising Clarrie Hall Dam offered the most effective and deliverable solution to meet the region's long-term needs.
"The approval recognises the extensive work undertaken to carefully assess the proposal and its impacts, including consultation with landholders, Aboriginal stakeholders, government agencies, community groups and the wider community," Mr Green said.
What happens next
Council has engaged a consultant to prepare a Full Business Case and Project Delivery Plan to support future funding submissions and inform project delivery decisions.
Council will also continue working with stakeholders and relevant agencies to address the project's conditions of approval, including the preparation of a biodiversity offset strategy, which is required before construction can commence.
In the meantime, Council is upgrading key parts of the water network, continuing to support water conservation programs and applying water restrictions during extended dry periods, to help manage demand and protect our drinking water supply.
