Meetings rescheduled for Darling River weirs

Scott Fletcher of DCCEEW speaking with concerned landholders Garry Mooring and Mick Davis. Photo: TWH

Story by Tricia Duffield and Rod Corfe

Louth and Tilpa residents will have the chance to have their say will have the chance to have their say on proposed changes to their weir structures with new meetings confirmed by the NSW government.

Meetings planned for Tuesday 25 August were cancelled due to road closures, but the new meetings for the “Fish Passage: Reconnecting the Northern Basin” project have been re-scheduled for Tuesday 15 September.

The project has been plagued with controversy for three years as DCCEEW has sought to lower weirs while refusing to listen to the advice of people reliant on the weirs for their water security.

Barwon-Darling Water Spokesman Ian Cole said that it was important for locals to get along to these meetings to ensure that the department does not bulldoze residents into accepting reduced water security for the villages of Louth and Tilpa.

“Locals remember the dry times when they have been totally reliant on the water backed up behind those weirs as rain and flows have stayed away,’ Mr Cole said.

Bourke Shire Council General Manager, Leonie Brown, is also encouraging everyone to make their way to Louth to see what the next stage of the project means to the community.

“This is an opportunity for community members to meet with DCCEEW staff and find out more about this project,” Mrs Brown said. […]

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