Nambucca Shire Environmental Issues

December 2015

Nambucca Shire Council is celebrating 100 years of local government this year with the launch of a book The Evolution of Community – Nambucca Shire Council, the Centenary History 1915 – 2015, written by local author Carroline Rhodes. The book and a centenary calendar are on sale at the Council office and shire libraries. To top off the celebrations, Councillors and staff attended the last meeting dressed in 1915 attire and dined on traditional 1915 fare afterwards.
Nambucca Shire Council is one of only 41 NSW local governments found to be ‘Fit for the Future’ in the IPART review of the State Government’s unpopular and piecemeal review of Local Government.  What that means in terms of amalgamations and Joint Organisations is anyone guess, but suffice to say Council staff have worked extensively to jump the many hurdles thrown in front of Council by State Government as the review goal posts keep shifting and shifting again.  Anyone would think that State Government was trying to get rid of local grass roots democracy …did I say that out loud?
Council has resolved to apply to State Government for a permanent licence variation for the Bowra Dam.  If approved, council will be allowed to retain a percentage of the rainwater that collects in the dam during high rainfall events, rather than having to release it all into the downstream watercourse as per the current licence. This will mean less pumping from borefield aquifers and reduced negative environmental impacts.
Council has engaged consultants to undertake a feasibility study into the dredging of the lower estuary of the Nambucca River. This misguided exercise has been pushed by a pro-dredging lobby wanting access for bigger boats in the lower river. Council has previously investigated the shoaling of the Nambucca River which has a history of dangerous river mouth conditions and shifting ocean sands in the lower estuary. Studies have shown that this is the natural condition of our river which has been influenced to some degree by the various training walls built over the years and that only minor dredging (if any) may be beneficial in front of boat ramps. There is no environmental benefit to the river from dredging, in fact it would damage sea grass beds and fish habitat. If dredging were to occur, it would require ongoing dredging to maintain a deeper channel at enormous cost to ratepayers for the benefit of a few.  What really stinks is that Environment Levy money has been used for this new study. Community consultation is scheduled for early 2016.
Cr Flack has once again raised concerns at the reduced ranger hours (two rangers now down to one) and the lack of an environmental compliance officer.  Increased ranger hours are needed if only for the summer season to minimise illegal rubbish dumping, littering, illegal beach driving etc.
Council has adopted the Coffs Coast Region Resource Recovery & Waste Management Strategy 2015-2027 and once the other two alliance partners have done likewise, implementation of the Strategy will commence in conjunction with partner Councils, Coffs and Bellingen.
Council has received $43,500 from Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) to match equal Environment Levy funds for Nambucca River bank restoration projects. It has also received funding to bolster $32,150 to commence the Nambucca EcoHealth River Monitoring Program.

- Opinions expressed are those of Cr Paula Flack and not necessarily those of Nambucca Shire Council