DURING the past 10 years flows down Summer Hill Creek have been steadily decreasing residents say, amid fears Orange’s stormwater harvesting plans could kill the creek.
Ophir Road resident Denis Marsh has lived alongside the creek for over 30 years and in that time says the impact of Suma Park Dam and the arrival of the Cadia mine have seen the creek stop flowing several times - a phenomenon not often seen in the past.
“We’re not against the scheme, in fact we recognise the benefits,” Summer Hill Creekcare’s Denis Marsh said.
“It is important to consider that 10 years ago Summer Hill Creek was declared an area of high environmental stress and since then more water has been extracted.”
Mr Marsh said the stormwater harvesting scheme had the potential to further reduce flows from Blackmans Swamp Creek into Summer Hill Creek.
“Our concern is over the base flow of the creek ... stormwater harvesting, if done responsibly, will not have a major impact on the creek,” he said.
Orange Mayor Reg Kidd said he could guarantee Mr Marsh his concerns would prove unfounded.
“I’m as concerned as anyone about maintaining the downstream flows,” Cr Kidd said.
“The whole purpose of this plan is to make sure this is done in a way that won’t impact downstream ... I can guarantee them of that.”
Cr Kidd said the stormwater project was under “incredible scrutiny” from a range of government departments that would ensure the council did not take more water than it was allowed, now or in the future.
Cr Kidd and Mr Marsh agreed the scheme would have one large benefit for the creek with much of the rubbish to be filtered out before reaching the creek.