Support for the construction of a major dam near Orange has been boosted by the National Party.
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The party’s state conference in Broken Hill last weekend passed a motion calling on government “to commence building major water storage dams as soon as possible.”
A dam proposed for the Cranky Rock area over the Belubula river near Canowindra is currently in the second phase of assessment which includes developing a shortlist of suitable sites.
Max Swift of the National party’s Forbes branch backed the motion.
“I think it is imperative that we build more dams,” he said.
“Without dams, and conserving water, we have no future.
“So for God’s sake get on with it. Who cares about ‘this frog’ or ‘that bat’ and all this sort of rubbish that goes on.
“Go ahead. Otherwise, we can’t progress.
“This will create decentralisation, create jobs, open up inland NSW, it will save western towns.
“A lot of this country’s got a good climate, good soils, and if you put water there the rest will follow.”
Sandy Walker from the party’s Mudgee branch said dams were a good investment.
“Money will come back to the government,” he said.
“It’s not money that is going to be burned.
“It is going to come back in the form of taxes and water licenses. It is going to create a lot more freight for the inland rail in the form of produce.”
The dam has also won the support of Cowra Council.
Mayor Bill West said the dam would create jobs.
“There are a number of benefits — jobs, developmental, industrial, and environmental — that would ‘flow’ from the decision to support a dam for this area,” Cr West said.
“Any final decision must be evidence-based and environmental checks must be made to ensure that no long-term effects impact on the life of the river.”
A parliamentary inquiry into water supply in NSW heard submissions in Orange last week from local government, environmentalists and farmers.
It was told saving Cliefden Caves was a priority.
Save Cliefden Caves Association secretary Harry Burkitt said the dam might endanger the caves.
“The onus is on the NSW government to demonstrate their dams will not impact on the caves,” he said.
David Fitzsimons
I am a senior journalist at the Central Western Daily concentrating on council, government and real estate issues. Before moving to Orange I filled senior roles at the Daily Telegraph, Daily Telegraph-Mirror and the Daily Mirror in Sydney. They included being an editor, news editor, chief of staff and reporter.
I am a senior journalist at the Central Western Daily concentrating on council, government and real estate issues. Before moving to Orange I filled senior roles at the Daily Telegraph, Daily Telegraph-Mirror and the Daily Mirror in Sydney. They included being an editor, news editor, chief of staff and reporter.
