Walgett Council opposes weir lowering at Calmundi and Banarway
While the rumoured removal of the Calmundi and Banarway weirs in the Walgett Shire are off the table, they are still targeted to be lowered in height to provide native fishways.
Representatives from the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) met with delegates from Walgett Shire Council on Monday, and received a very similar message as they did at Louth – leave our weirs alone!
Walgett Shire Council General Manager, Megan Dixon, Councillor Greg Rummery, Mayor Jasen Ramien and Director of Infrastructure, Kazi Mahmud formed a small contingent to meet with DCCEEW representatives.
Ms Dixon said that the Walgett Council delegation made their position on lowering the weirs very clear.
“Council don’t support a lowering of the weirs,” she said. “We agree with the idea of fish passageways, but council doesn’t support anything that would put water security in danger.”
Ms Dixon is now preparing a report to council for the meeting on Tuesday 28 May where council will take a formal position on the matter.
“We will be writing to the minister as well,” Ms Dixon said. “We’ve got concerns about the project. As expressed by the two councillors at the meeting, is not a great outcome for our community or for people who live on the river.” […]
Read more 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!
Comments