Byron Shire Council is seeking public comment on options for securing Mullumbimby's water supply for the future.
Mullumbimby's current water supply comes from the historic Lavertys Gap weir. All other towns and villages in Byron Shire draw water from Rous County Council's regional water supply, which also services Ballina, Lismore and Casino.
"With a growing population and impacts of a changing climate, Lavertys Gap Weir and Mullumbimby water treatment plant can't supply residents and businesses past 2027 without risking increased interruptions or restrictions," Byron Shire Mayor Michael Lyon said.
In 2021 Council engaged consultants (Hydrosphere) to investigate the future delivery of Mullumbimby's water and provide a recommendation for giving residents and businesses reliable access to clean water at a reasonable price.
"From four scenarios examined, the consultants' report recommends that connecting Mullumbimby to the Rous supply, like the rest of Byron Shire, would have the best short and long-term outcomes in terms of cost to ratepayers, as well as environmental impact," Mayor Lyon said.
"This recommendation is supported by council staff and now councillors will make the final decision.
"Before we do that we need to hear what the community thinks, and we need be sure that the community has the information needed to make an informed decision on this important project."
The outcome scenarios, in the order they appear in the report, are:
- Keep using Lavertys Gap weir with no new water source (up-front cost - above $14.4 million) - System upgrades and a new water treatment plant (WTP) will be needed and beyond 2027 water restrictions may increase.
- Build a new off-stream reservoir to store high flows that overtop the weir (up-front cost – above $36 million) - System upgrades and new WTP will also be required. This scenario could provide a secure water supply until about 2060.
- Permanent connection to the Rous regional water supply (up-front cost above $4.2 million. Recommended by consultants and council staff) - Permanent connection to the regional water supply means water is no longer drawn from the weir and a new WTP is not needed. Rous currently provides to towns and villages in the Byron Shire, with the exception of Mullumbimby.
- Supplementing the existing Lavertys Gap weir supply with a new groundwater source (up-front cost – above $18.1 million) - Investigations will be needed to identify a viable groundwater source and a new WTP will be required.
Detailed information on each scenario and the full Hydrosphere report is available on the Your Say page of Council's website.
People can make a submission on the Mullumbimby Water Strategy Your Say page, or via email, letter, phone or face-to-face
The closing date for submissions is 30 June 2024.
Public information sessions will be held during the consultation period to give people an opportunity to talk with staff about the consultants' report and its findings.
Details of the first session are below and further sessions will be announced via Council's website and social media channels.
- Mullum Farmers Market, Friday 14 June 7am - 11am
- Drop-in sessions at Council chambers, Mullumbimby – dates to be announced
