Council recently convened a workshop to tackle concerns surrounding the cost of water management and the future water needs of the valley’s population.

Following concerns about the affordability of an estimated $221.3 million dollar Integrated Water Cycle Management Strategy (IWCM) of which the construction of a dam is a significant chunk, Nambucca Shire Council conducted a value management workshop in May to evaluate the existing management plan and see where cost cuts could be made.

NSW Public Works representative Kevin Plummer facilitated the workshop and provided a list of possible options that council could adopt to reduce the overall figure of the IWCM from $221.3 million to $180.9 million.

“The workshop outlined areas where council could make significant savings,” Cr John Ainsworth said.

Arising from the workshop were several recommendations, which included the reduction in size of the proposed off-stream water storage facility at Bowraville from 5,000 megalitres to 4,500 megalitres; that a water treatment plant not be included for the typical residential bill and developer charge calculations; and allowance for system leakage program be adjusted to $1 million over 10 years.

Council’s general manager Michael Coulter said the value management workshop was a worthwhile undertaking and provided a clear direction for producing an affordable IWCM.

“As indicated in its recommendations, further work is required before council could consider proceeding with a detailed design of the off-river water storage,” he said.

“A good quality, reliable, potable water supply is reported as being of the highest importance to local communities.

“In the customer satisfaction survey undertaken by council in December 2007, our water supply was rated as the most important council service,” Mr Coulter said.

At its June 17 general meeting, council adopted recommendations from the workshop with the understanding that the dam storage component (to be either on or off-stream) was undetermined at this stage. 1

Councillors Mike Moran and Ann Smyth are opposed to the construction of a dam.