The council has been slapped with a $1000 fine by the Department of Primary Industries after clearing flood debris and repairing a flood-damaged causeway, Hanover Creek on Old Yullundry Road ,without permission.

Cabonne Council has hit back at the state government and is urging it review unnecessary departmental red tape.

Mayor Bob Dowling said it was ludicrous to expect councils to lodge dredging applications to conduct emergency work during times of natural disaster.

“The 2010-2011 floods were the largest and most widespread in Cabonne’s history with a damage bill of about $1.5 million.

“Our staff worked around the clock to repair roads and bridges to remove the considerable risk to the public and provide access to property owners and residents.”

Cr Dowling said if a council or any roadwork authority was required to obtain dredging and reclamation permits before carrying out work after floods there could be extensive delays.

“This puts the public at risk and seriously affects the welfare of communities and the livelihoods of farming families isolated by flood-damaged infrastructure,” he said.

Council will write to Primary Industries Minister Katrina Hodgkinson seeking a review of provisions to undertake emergency work in waterways particularly after major floods, well as raising the issue with the CENTROC organisation of councils.

A DPI spokesperson told the Central Western Daily it acted after receiving information in February from a concerned resident in regards to earthworks being conducted in Hanover Creek.

The DPI has defended its decision to fine the council.

“An inspection of the area by fisheries officers found works had been conducted without erosion control measures,” the spokesperson said.

“The council was declared a natural disaster area after flooding on December 6, 2010 however the works took place two months later on February 4 and 7, 2011.

“Cabonne Council had time to apply for the necessary permit under Section 200 of the Fisheries Management Act 1994 and did not do so, despite council staff, including council staff interviewed about the works, receiving training by NSW DPI in the requirements of the Act in September 2010.”

erin.somerville @ruralpress.com