A big debate over water security in Western Plains communities continues to rage local mayors and leaders appealing for bureaucrats in Sydney to listen to locals over fish passages and weirs.

Farmers with generations of experience from Walgett to Bourke and Louth are worried about a bigger looming drought and water security as the NSW Government works to restore fish passage along 147 kilometres of the Darling Baaka.

The backlash has sent the government department responsible back to the table.

Louth’s Rose Isle Station owner Gary Mooring says lowering weirs along rivers is not negotiable.

‘’We have nothing against fishing passages, but we believe they're putting fish before Louth and the village and business,’’ he said.

‘’There was a lack of proper consultation and notice on it, the regional guide they put out has fallen at the first hurdle and they seem hold these meetings when our biggest supporter the member for Barwon Roy Butler is in parliament.’’

A spokesperson for the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment (DCCEEW) says they are returning to engage.

"Community consultation is at the heart of all our water infrastructure projects which is why we take local feedback seriously. 

"Since November 2023, we have carried out comprehensive engagement with stakeholders about the Fish Passage project including consultation with 12 community groups, 22 First Nations organisations and representatives, 5 local councils, the Local MP and landholders."

‘’We’ve also made regular phone calls, held in-person conversations and conducted site visits building on our collaborative approach with local Aboriginal custodianship of Country. 

"In 2024, we held three community information sessions at Walgett, Louth and Collarenebri to discuss the work and hear directly from locals about the proposed rock-ramp fishways at Banarway, Calmundi and Louth Weirs."

Fishway structure. [IMAGE: DCEEW]

The spokesperson said ‘’As a result of concerns raised at these meetings last year about water security and the proposed reduction of weir heights, we agreed to review the fishway designs to find a solution that would work better for everyone. 

"The community made it clear they did not want us to hold any more information sessions until we had an update on the review – this is exactly what we have done."

Walgett mayor Jesse Ramien says his councillors are up for the fight against DCCEEW's Fish Passage: Reconnecting the Northern Basin Project following concerns raised by Council and the local community.

"We will fight for this, there has a big lack of community consultation, they tried to sneak this through and its not on," he said.

He said Council previously raised concerns about the potential impacts of the project particularly the proposed modifications to the Banarway and Calmundi Weirs which could significantly reduce local water storage during dry periods.

"We will not settle for the lack of proper water security for our towns and villages, the state MP Roy Butler is backing us so they have to come back to the drawing board."

Council also highlighted serious issues with the initial consultation process, including inadequate notice and questioned whether key stakeholders such as local Aboriginal groups have been involved.

The DCEEW spokesperson said their Aboriginal Engagement team met with First Nations representatives in the Walgett region last month to provide them with updates on the progress of the project.

"Elders, Local Land Councils and First Nations representatives were actively involved with planning, site inspections and investigations, and engagement with these representatives was structured around respect for cultural protocols," the spokesperson said.

"Once we landed on a new design which balances everyone’s needs while achieving the key project objective of delivering better fish passage, we briefed the Member for Barwon Roy Butler in April and then held online and face-to-face meetings with Bourke, Walgett, Moree, Central-Darling and Cobar Councils, as well as the Louth Chamber of Commerce and directly impacted landholders in early May."

He said they are coming back to the community for further in-person meetings at the end of July, including in Walgett, with dates and locations to be confirmed soon.

"The new design brings down the reduction of weir height from 400mm to 100mm, and for only a partial section of the weir wall. We are also investigating off-river storage to further lock-in water security."

Walgett Mayor Jasen Ramien. [IMAGE: Walgett Shire Council]

Cr Ramien said his council appreciates that the Department has listened and taken steps to allow more time for community engagement.

"This issue has real consequences for our communities and region, and it's vital that people turn up, ask questions and help shape the outcomes."

He said while Council remains concerned about the potential impacts of the project on water security, it is committed to working constructively with the Department to ensure future engagement is transparent and inclusive.

Council will continue to keep the community informed about upcoming consultation opportunities and will work with DCCEEW to ensure residents are aware of the project and its potential impacts.

Project locations. [IMAGE: DCEEW]