Saving our western weirs at Louth Tilpa and Walgett

Local Federal Member Jamie Chaffey and Senator Ross Cadell checking out the Louth weir with locals who oppose any reduction in weir height. Photo: TWH

Story by Tricia Duffield

The communities of Louth, Bourke, Tilpa and Walgett are being urged to turn up and be seen and heard at a series of consultation meetings being held next week regarding the Tilpa, Louth, plus two weirs in Walgett Shire – the Banarway and Calmundi weirs.

The NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water (DCCEEW) is holding sessions in Tilpa, Louth and Collarenebri to provide an update on the fish passage project, which has potential implications for the weirs and water security in all four locations.

A meeting on the project in Louth last year attracted more than 60 people, and Bourke Shire Council General Manager, Leonie Brown, is encouraging everyone to again make their way to Louth to hear and see what the next stage of the project means to the community.

“It’s an opportunity for community members to meet with staff from the state government department in regard to the Northern Connectivity Fish Passage project,” Mrs Brown said.

“Since April 2023, the department has tried to determine how to achieve fish passage from Menindee Lakes north to Mungindi. The community appreciates the need to help native fish move through the system, but there wasn’t any real consideration for the practicalities of people who live along this river system. […]

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