Controversial weir project stirs community anger

“The state government’s much vaunted community consultation guide has failed its first test!”

A storm of frustration is brewing along the Barwon-Darling River system and across Bourke and Walgett Shires as water officials from the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) attempt to revive parts of the controversial Reconnecting the Northern Basin project - without proper consultation.

The revised plan, part of a $56 million federal-state initiative under the Northern Basin Toolkit, aims to reconnect stretches of river for fish passage by modifying weirs at Tilpa, Louth, and at Banarway and Calmundi weirs in the Walgett Shire.

But the proposal, which now includes reducing the height of the Louth Weir by 100mm, after clear community sentiment to the contrary, is being slammed by councils and community members who say the consultation process has been botched.

General Manager of Bourke Shire Council Leonie Brown said she was most disappointed with the approach taken by project staff.

“The project went into hibernation more than 12 months ago and we received only two emails in the intervening period, and then on 7 May we were suddenly asked for a meeting – quite out of the blue,” she said.

After meeting online with government representatives on May 13, Bourke Shire Council was advised of an upcoming stakeholder consultation on May 21. Mrs Brown said she was most concerned at the consultation process being pursued. […]

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Part of the big crowd at Louth Tennis Shed in 2024 to hear of plans to reduce the height of the Louth Weir. Photo TWH