Narromine mayor responds to Gin Gin weir criticism

The Editor,

Having read what I believe to be very misleading advertisements regarding the Gin Gin weir, I feel the truth needs to be told.

The new Gin Gin weir is designed to replace the 1919 weir that has not been functional for decades. The new weir is designed to enhance many aspects of river management and the protection of the natural environment.

But let’s look at each point made by the ads.

No irrigator nor any licence holder is entitled to one more drop of water from the river as a result of this weir being built. Its principle purpose is to save water. When a licence holder orders water, it takes up to ten days before it’s delivered at the northern end of the river. If a significant rain event occurs prior to delivery, then the weir is there to hold that water back and be used for another order rather than simply flow to the Macquarie Marshes.

To put things into perspective, irrigators are entitled to an average of 17 per cent of the flow in the river, urban use is approximately 3 per cent, and the balance is the environment. That’s 80 per cent.

On any basis it would appear that the irrigators taking this percentage could hardly be described as taking too much.

Contrary to the ads, a weir will help conserve water in the river rather than what the ads claim to suggest that it will mean less water. Clearly a lack of understanding exists in the minds of those who would produce this fiction.

To also claim that lifting the river by six metres above the weir will kill old red gums is pure fallacy. The river will not be continuously six metres higher but only in the event of water being caught and held for the next order. All in the name of conserving water.

Water is the life blood of both the Warren and Narromine shires and in a full allocation year adds in excess of $80 million to the Dubbo economy.

Personally, I gain nothing from the river other than the satisfaction of watching a prosperous and visionary economy grow and young people being given the opportunity for good jobs locally.

If we wish to debate the water issue in the Macquarie, let’s do it in the face of honesty, integrity and transparency rather than a biased ideology.

Craig Davies

Mayor, Narromine Shire Council