Strategy securing Far North Coast's water future open for feedback

The draft Far North Coast Regional Water Strategy is on public display, and the community is invited to have its say on shortlisted options to deliver safer, more secure and reliable water for the region over the coming decades.

Kaia Hodge, Executive Director Water Strategy and Policy for the NSW Department of Planning and Environment, said the strategy was refined after first going on exhibition in 2020, and stakeholders will have until 11 December 2022 to lodge a submission before it is finalised.

“During the last consultation, we heard from Aboriginal communities, residents, businesses, farmers, stakeholder groups and Councils on how we can best address the water needs and deliver solutions for Lismore, Byron Bay, Ballina, Casino, Tweed Heads, and the entire region, for the next 20 years and beyond,” Ms Hodge said.

“We listened carefully to that feedback and are now proposing a shortlist of the best actions to ensure residents, industries and the environment have their water needs met over the long term.

"The Far North Coast is one of the fastest growing regions in the state, particularly off the back of COVID, and we expect towns and cities will continue to grow. Despite the recent wet weather and major flooding, which has had devastating impact on communities across the region, we know that we face a more variable climate in the years to come, with more intense storm events. We may face a drier climate overall, but there will continue to be periods of extreme wet weather.

“These challenges will put increased pressure on our water supply, and this is why we need to prepare now to secure a stronger water future for the region.

“We also need to balance the needs of the entire region and deliver solutions to best support our First Nations communities, the booming agricultural industry which contributes to the region’s $13 billion on average annually to the economy, our towns and cities, and the environment.”

Shortlisted options include:

• Delivering a river rehabilitation program to improve the health of rivers and their ecosystems, including native and threatened frogs and fish
• Improving fish passage at high priority sites and installing fish screens to protect fish from irrigation pumps
• Innovative water supply options, including recycled water and managed aquifer recharge
• Improving our scientific knowledge of groundwater sources and the way we manage them
• Supporting Aboriginal people so they are more involved in water management, and integrating their traditional knowledge into decision-making
• Supporting landholders to improve their land and farm management, which will help improve waterway health
• Improving our understanding of saltwater intrusion and its risks, to inform better management

The department will also support Councils as they continue to improve water efficiency and explore new storage and infrastructure options.

The strategy and shortlisted options will be on display from 1 November to 11 December 2022 to ensure everyone has an opportunity to have their voice heard.

A webinar and face-to-face consultations will be held during the exhibition period. Some sessions will also provide the community with a chance to learn more about the draft Richmond and Tweed water sharing plans, which are also on public exhibition.

For more information and to register your attendance visit: North Coast Regional Water Strategy.