!!!January 25, 2024
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The Northern Rivers Times
NEWS 11
Keep up with the latest on raising Clarrie Hall Dam Tweed Shire Council Information sessions at Murwillumbah and Uki in February
An environmental impact assessment of the proposal to raise Clarrie Hall Dam is entering its final stages with community feedback sought at 2 upcoming information sessions. BELOW: A map showing the proposed inundation area should the dam wall be raised.
Tweed Shire Council extends an invitation to the community to stay informed about the proposed 8.5-meter
Engineering, highlighted that the environmental impact assessment’s final stages are underway. The team, along with
elevation of Clarrie Hall Dam by participating in community information sessions scheduled in early February in Murwillumbah and Uki. David Oxenham, Council’s Director of
independent consultant KBR, is completing necessary studies for the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which is slated for submission to the NSW Government in mid-2024.
The community is encouraged to attend the sessions, where the team will be available to address inquiries and discuss the proposal. The sessions are scheduled for: • Tuesday, February 6, from 4 to 6.30 pm at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church, 1473 Kyogle Road, Uki. • Wednesday, February 7, from 12 to 2 pm at the CWA Hall, 20 Queens Street, Murwillumbah. For those unable to attend in person, questions and future updates can be accessed on Council’s online engagement page at yoursaytweed.com.au/ raisingclarriehall-eis. The ongoing studies by KBR encompass various aspects, including cultural heritage, biodiversity, flooding, water quality, hydrology, traffic and road safety, noise, air quality, social impact, and climate change. The EIS will thoroughly investigate potential impacts, propose mitigation measures, and outline plans for managing these impacts. Council plans to
submit the EIS to the NSW Department of Housing, Planning, and Infrastructure in mid2024, initiating a public exhibition period. During this time, the community can raise concerns and offer feedback. The NSW Government will assess submissions, the EIS, and other documents before deciding on approval. If approved, the project will be subject to specific conditions, with community submissions having the potential to influence these conditions. The elected Councillors will subsequently decide whether to proceed with construction. A community update on the EIS has been mailed to surrounding areas, and an online version, along with frequently asked questions, is available at yoursaytweed.com.au/ raisingclarriehall-eis. In supporting this crucial planning initiative under the Safe and Secure Water Program, the NSW Government emphasizes best-practice management by water utilities across Regional NSW.
awarded two grants worth $583,141
The Tweed and Weddin Shire Councils have been awarded more than $655,000 in grants as part of flood recovery programs being delivered by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA). New South Wales experienced severe storms and flooding in 2022 around the Hawkesbury River, South Coast, Central West and up to the Queensland border. This led to the generation of significant amounts of flood debris across NSW and the Australian government declared many parts of NSW a natural disaster area. The EPA has led several clean-up and recovery programs to ensure the generated waste is removed in a safe, effective, and efficient manner. The grants are being awarded under Round 1 of the Illegal Dumping and Flood Waste Program to help councils clean-up illegally dumped flood waste, including asbestos or other hazardous materials, and any remaining flood generated waste. The EPA is encouraging the reuse and recycling of waste
where possible as well as the installation of illegal dumping deterrence measures. The Program follows the EPA’s shoreline clean-up which has already removed more than 24,338 cubic meters of eligible flood debris across NSW since the beginning of March last year, which is equivalent to almost 10 Olympic sized swimming pools of debris. Tweed Shire Council • Two grants worth $583, 141. • The first grant is facilitating the demolition and removal of flood damaged structures and cleanup flood waste at Reserve Creek Road. Council land, on River Street in Tweed Shire Council, will be turned into a continuation of the green space located along the river, allowing the community to safely use and enjoy the area for recreational activities. • Their second grant will cover clean-up of other flood waste including bulky waste, dumped household waste and natural flood debris from the Council owned land.
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