Government announces new measures to protect Shoalhaven River
19 March 2007
Minister for Natural Resources, Ian Macdonald and Minister for the Environment, Bob Debus, have today announced important improvements for the health of the Shoalhaven and Southern Highlands rivers.
“We are very pleased to announce that, after considering feedback from the community, the Government will be introducing new environmental flows for the lower Shoalhaven River,” Mr Debus said.
“The new environmental flows will ensure more water is protected for the health of the Shoalhaven River and will also allow us to better mimic the natural river flow.
“This will benefit native plants and animals and improve the health of this important river,” he said.
The new flows will replace the interim measures which have been in place since 1999.
“These new arrangements reflect the significant amount of work that has been undertaken to assess the needs of the river.”
Currently up to 90 million litres of water is released daily from Tallowa Dam for the health of the Shoalhaven River, but the new rules will see a far greater range of flows, with some up to 371 million litres per day, depending on the season.
This water protects the critical low river flows. Medium flows will be partially protected, while a large proportion of high flows, which flush the river, will continue to flow over the dam wall.
Mr Debus said the new environmental flows will be implemented when the current drought is over.
To support the environmental flows, new infrastructure will be built at Tallowa Dam to allow native fish passage and to improve the temperature of water released from the dam.
Minister Macdonald said the fish passage project has been strongly supported by environmental groups, the local fishing industry and recreational fishers.
“Construction will start this year with completion in 2008,” he said.
“The fish passage will allow 10 native fish species to migrate up and downstream of the dam and may even see the reestablishment of the endangered Grayling into the Shoalhaven River.”
Mr Macdonald said the recent consultation with the community also discussed six options that could allow for the transfer of more water from Tallowa Dam to Sydney and the Illawarra, should the Government decide to proceed with increased water transfers.
The SCA will now conduct further technical investigations on the three options and report back to the Government in late 2007.
Mr Debus acknowledged the importance of Tallowa Dam and its surrounds to the local economy and community.
“The Government has made a commitment to operate Tallowa Dam so that it is not drawn down below one metre from full storage, except in emergencies,” he said.
“The current operations see the dam drawn down to three metres.
“The new arrangements will provide better recreational opportunities in Lake Yarrunga behind the dam, including better access for canoeing.”
Mr Debus said the Government will upgrade visitor facilities at Bendeela Camping Ground and Tallowa Dam Picnic Area.
“These are very important facilities for the local community as well as visitors,” he said.
“I understand the Sydney Catchment Authority (SCA) will consult with the community on a new masterplan for the upgrade of the recreational facilities in the coming months.”
The announcements follow extensive consultation with the Shoalhaven and Southern Highlands communities about a range of options for new environmental flows and changes to the operation of Tallowa Dam.
Media Contact Details
Name:Debbie Low
Phone:4725 2502
Mobile:0409 783 039
FAX:
Email:debbie.low@sca.nsw.gov.au
