Those affected by the proposed Mole River Dam have come away from a meeting last Wednesday with state water minister Melinda Pavey somewhat placated that their concerns are being heard.
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The minister's visit was the result of some resourceful lobbying by Josh Moylan and Alex Rubin of the local branch of the National Party, along with members of the Mingoola Progress Association. Mr Moylan is satisfied that the effort achieved its aim of allowing the minister to receive direct feedback from the community at the meeting at Mingoola Hall on Wednesday, May 26.
Around 40 people attended, with numbers restricted by Covid.
"People were able to leave the meeting knowing they'd been heard," Mr Moylan said.
"It was a conversation based on facts and a diverse range of comments."
Mrs Pavey said she heard a range of strong views last week, both for and against the construction of the dam.
"The community challenged some fundamentals that will shape the consultation," she said.
"Views and questions of the dam size, recognition of cultural heritage and other feedback around the consultation process were raised and we need to acknowledge the views of the community.
"I have taken on board what the community have said and look forward to continue to work with the community as the business case work is being completed."
Several participants commented on the orderliness of the meeting, despite the strong emotions involved, and that everyone who wanted to got to have their say.
Local resident Julia Harpham said the minister recognised the lack of consultation between her department and the community over the contentious dam, with Water NSW holding off on providing any concrete information pending the finalisation of its business case. The completion date keeps moving, now aiming for February/March next year.
Stakeholder Sandra Smith feels this deadline may be further extended if the Minister pushes Water NSW to do more groundwork, taking on the input of local experts and ensuring that the available water data is being correctly interpreted.
Mrs Pavey has a track record in pushing deadlines to ensure affected communities are consulted on such matters. Last year she insisted on taking Murray-Darling Basin water resource plans back to stakeholders for further consultation before they were submitted for accreditation, against the urging of others.
She said at the time that she wouldn't be rushed by deadlines that don't recognise the pressures put on rural communities. This would come as a mixed blessing to many, who would welcome a better-informed business plan but look forward to a resolution one way or the other.
There was no commitment on whether the business plan would be made public when it is finalised.
Mrs Pavey acknowledged there were 'real experts' in the room at the meeting, such as Bob South who has spent a long lifetime researching the peculiarities of the Mole River.
Also having a say were Border Rivers Flood & Fibre vice chair Daryl Cleeve, representing downstream irrigators, and Michelle Ramsay, another irrigator who is also a government adviser on northern basin water reform and a member Northern Regional Community forum advising the Murray Darling Basin Authority.
Mrs Harpham said attendees sent the minister a strong message that the current lack of information around irrigation certainty and levels of flood risk was unacceptable.
One of the most asked questions is the formula for converting existing Mole River unregulated licences to regulated licences, should the dam progress.
Angelo Saccon shared his experience back in the 1970's when Glen Lyon Dam was built. He expects that Mole River irrigators would get perhaps more security over less water, a concern shared by Sandra Smith and others.
Mr Saccon is concerned that any available water will be sold to corporate farmers farther west, reducing productivity in the valley. He feels we shouldn't be attempting to replenish water to counteract the natural occurrence of drought.
He also expects that during drought any water released from the dam would be for the environment and towns downstream, with irrigators not allowed access.
"How is this dam going to help preserve agricultural and social economics in this area?" he asked.
The minister took questions on notice as to why the proposed site was chosen, and why the project appears to have no clear objectives. instead creating a business case to identify objectives.
Several speakers argued that the proposed 100 gigalitre dam is way too small anyway, needing one at least three times that size to benefit anyone.
In return Mrs Pavey promised greater community consultation in the future, and a return visit to again meet with stakeholders.