Cautious optimism as government promises no reduction in weir heights

Garry Mooring, Scott Fletcher, Stuart Le Leivre and Bourke Mayor Lachlan Ford at Louth on Tuesday. Photo: Ian Cole

Story by Tricia Duffield and Ian Cole

There was an undeniable sense of apprehension at the fish passage meetings in Louth on Tuesday, when NSW government project manager Scott Fletcher faced community members to deliver the decision on the contentious issue of weir heights.

Around 50 people attended the meeting to hear details about the proposed fish passage project, which originally included a proposal to lower the weir heights at Louth and Tilpa Weirs and at two weirs in the Walgett Shire – at Calmundi and Banarway.

It appears that that unpopular suggestion has been scrapped, and on Tuesday the government committed to keeping the weir heights at the same level, while installing fishways within the existing structure, with modifications.

Despite the commitment, many at the meeting expressed concern that this commitment would hold for the next few decades, and that the issue would not have to be fought over again in future.

Vice chair of the Louth Chamber of Commerce Garry Mooring said most people were happy with the decision, if the government was committed to keeping it.

“They haven’t turned a sod yet, and when we had one of our last meetings here it was noted that they’d spent $28 million already,” Garry said.

“People are worried that the funding will run out if they start all four fish passage projects at once as planned, because if they can’t get any more funding, we could be stuck with a half-fixed weir that’s half-letting water go.

“We really don’t understand why they can’t do it in stages. We just need them to be able to assure us that the funding won’t run out.{…]

Read more local news in the printed edition of The Western Herald. To subscribe call (02) 6872 2333 today and receive The Western Herald in your letterbox next week or purchase and download a digital edition https://www.outbackradio.com.au/shop/