The public has until September 22 to have their voices heard in a NSW Upper House inquiry into three dam projects, including Wyangala Dam, and other water infrastructure fast-tracked by the NSW Government.
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An inquiry will examine the rationale and impacts of the Wyangala, Mole River and Dungowan Dam projects, the Macquarie River reregulating storage project and the Western Weirs project.
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The committee, chaired by Cate Faehermann, will hand down a report in the first half of 2021.
"There are growing concerns that these projects won't deliver enough water to where it's needed the most to justify the costs or the impacts on rivers, wetlands and downstream communities," Ms Faehermann said.
"This inquiry will have the powers to ensure everything is on the table," she said.
"Inland rivers are the lifeblood of both the communities that live along them but also the surrounding environment. The committee will carefully examine the environmental, cultural, social and economic impacts of the projects," continued Ms Faehrmann.
"It really is an understatement to say that the way in which our water is managed affects everyone."
Planning surges forward
Meanwhile, Water NSW is going ahead with planning for raising the Wyangala Dam wall, and early works are expected to begin in October 2020.
In September, community engagement sessions will be held with residents in Woodstock, Darby's Flat, Reid's Flat and Bigga. Inundation mapping will be released this month and landowners will be notified of impacts. Unofficial mapping showed changes to maximum water levels and potential land loss in the Upper Lachlan Shire.
For more information visit: waternsw.com.au
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